Published Impact Analyses

Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

On 27 June 2017 the Australian Government made the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Amendment (Liquefied Natural Gas) Regulations 2017, which implemented the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism (ADGSM).

The ADGSM establishes a framework for restrictions on the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from LNG projects, to be imposed where the Resources Minister determines there is a reasonable prospect of a supply shortage in the domestic market. The purpose of the ADGSM is to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of gas to meet the needs of Australian consumers, including households and industry, by requiring, if necessary, LNG exporters which are drawing gas from the domestic market to limit exports or find offsetting sources of new gas.

Regulation Impact Statement for Consultation – Department of the Environment and Energy

On 24 October 2017, the Department of the Environment and Energy released for consultation a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) on options for a national phase out of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and its salts.

The consultation RIS proposes a national approach to managing PFOS chemicals to minimise future emissions, in accordance with the standards established by the Stockholm Convention.

Details of the consultation process can be found on the Department’s website. The consultation period closes on 26 February 2018.

The RIS has been certified by the Department and was assessed by the OBPR as suitable for public consultation.

Independent Review – Department of the Treasury

On 19 October 2017 the Government introduced the Treasury Laws Amendment (Banking Measures No 1) Bill 2017 to Parliament.

The Bill amends the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 to introduce reforms to improve consumer outcomes under credit card contracts. These reforms reduce the likelihood of consumers being granted excessive credit limits, align the way interest is charged with consumers’ reasonable expectations and make it easier for consumers to reduce a credit limit or terminate a credit card.

Taxation Administration Regulations 2017 – The Treasury

On 21 September 2017, the Treasury remade the Taxation Administration Regulations 2017 (the Regulations) under section 18 of the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (the Act) without significant amendment.

The Regulations provide compliance requirements in the administrative framework for taxation laws, including the collection and recovery of income tax and other liabilities, appeal processes, payments, enforcement and, rulings.

Consistent with Government best practice regulation requirements for sunsetting instruments, Treasury, after consulting stakeholders, has assessed the Regulations as operating effectively and efficiently.

Regulation Impact Statement - Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

On 10 July 2017, the Commonwealth Minister for Small Business announced a new safety standard for decorative alcohol fuelled devices, also known as ethanol burners.

The new safety standard replaces the national interim ban on the supply of ethanol burners and comes into effect on 15 July 2017.

The new safety standard will prevent the supply of table top devices (devices which weigh less than 8 kilograms or have a footprint less than 900 square centimetres). The standard will require freestanding and fixed devices to meet stability tests, require a fuel container with a flame arrester (or an automatic fuel pump system) to be applied, and include display warnings on the device about refuelling hazards.

Post Implementation Review – Department of Health

On 1 July 2012 Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives commenced. This measure affected higher income earners by both reducing the Australian Government Rebate on private health insurance (the Rebate) and increasing the Medicare Levy Surcharge for people without private health insurance.  On 29 April 2009 the then Prime Minister granted an exemption from the requirement to prepare a Regulation Impact Statement. Consequently, a Post-Implementation Review (PIR) was required.

The PIR was completed by the Department of Health on 30 April 2017 and assessed as compliant by the Office of Best Practice Regulation. The PIR found the introduction of the incentives reduced the cost to government of the Rebate without reducing the proportion of people covered by private health insurance. However, the savings achieved were lower than expected for the first two years after commencement. 

Approved Occupational Clothing Guidelines – The Treasury

On 7 August 2017, the Minister for Revenue and Financial Services remade the legislative instrument Approved Occupational Clothing Guidelines, made under Division 34 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, without significant amendment.

Division 34 sets out the rules and regulatory requirements for determining the tax deductibility for expenses on non-compulsory uniforms. Under Division 34, the design of a non-compulsory uniform must be registered on the Register of Approved Occupational Clothing, maintained by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. A design can only be approved for registration if it meets the criterial set out in the Guidelines.

Regulation Impact Statement – Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development

On 13 September 2017, the Government introduced the Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Amendment Bill 2017, which is intended to reduce the regulatory burden of the existing Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012 and expand coverage to certain additional activities, while maintaining its objectives.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission remade, without significant amendment, the ASIC Class Order CO 03/1063, ASIC Class Order CO 11/926, and ASIC Credit (Financial Counselling Agencies) Instrument 2015/992.

ASIC CO 03/1063 exempted financial counselling agencies from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence when providing certain types of financial product advice as part of their financial counselling service subject to a range of conditions.

ASIC CO 11/926 provided that a rural financial counsellor does not need to hold an Australian credit licence (credit licence) to provide credit assistance in the context of a rural financial counselling service.

Independent Review – Department of the Treasury

On 14 September 2017, the Government introduced the Treasury Laws Amendment (Putting Consumers First – Establishment of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority) Bill 2017.