Published Impact Analyses

The Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) has published a range of guidance material associated with the Australian Government Guide to Regulation. This User Guide is designed to be read alongside the Guide to Regulation. It provides detail on the specifics of developing your Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) and having it assessed by the OBPR. Among other things, this guide will help you decide what type of RIS to undertake and provide helpful step-by-step advice.

On 7 July 2014, the Government announced plans to progress the Biosecurity Bill 2014 to replace the Quarantine Act 1908. The proposed biosecurity legislation is designed to reduce unnecessary red tape and provide a more flexible risk based approach to compliance. The reforms will lead to better outcomes for business and Australia’s biosecurity risk management. The legislation builds on and expands the existing benefits to the Commonwealth and industry members by improving partnerships to manage biosecurity risk and allowing industry to contribute to managing biosecurity risk in return for a commercial advantage. The Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) has agreed that the estimated regulatory cost savings is $6.9 million per annum. This is due to clearer, easier to use legislation and improved processes.

On 17 July 2014, the Attorney-General’s Department released a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) examining the proposed measures to enhance chemical security in relation to 84 toxic chemicals of security concern. These include a variety of industrial, agricultural and veterinary chemicals. The Attorney-General’s Department has raised concerns that these toxic chemicals could be exploited by individuals and groups for criminal purposes – particularly terrorism and organised crime. The Attorney-General’s Department invites submissions on the consultation RIS.  Submissions are open until 5pm on Wednesday, 27 August 2014. This Consultation RIS has been approved by the OBPR.

On 10 July 2014 Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) issued a call for submissions in response to its proposal to introduce a permanent maximum level (ML) for tutin in honey. Tutin is a plant-derived neurotoxin, which can sometimes be present in honey produced in parts of New Zealand. Following a severe poisoning incident in New Zealand in 2008 temporary MLs for tutin in honey and comb honey were adopted into the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code while further research and evaluation was conducted. The temporary MLs are due to expire on 31 March 2015. FSANZ is proposing that the MLs of tutin in honey and comb honey be reduced from the current temporary levels, and be made permanent. This recommendation is based on scientific research that indicates that some people may have adverse reactions to tutin even at levels below the current temporary MLs.

On 6 June 2014, the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) announced a replacement accounting standard for superannuation entities. The existing standard was considered out of date because of significant changes in Australia’s superannuation industry over the last two decades and the adoption in Australia of International Financial Reporting Standards. Key changes in the replacement standard were to:

Coverage of the OBPR’s webpost of 10 July 2014 has highlighted an error in the OBPR’s summary of the RIS. In particular, the summary incorrectly stated that “Individual employees undertaking cleaning work under a contract subject to the Guidelines – there were 25 to 30 contracts extant at the time the Guidelines were revoked – may receive lower remuneration when their current employment agreements expire.” The OBPR has since corrected the webpost.

Regulation Impact Statement – Department of Industry

On 13 December 2013 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) decided not to pursue the proposed National Occupational Licensing Scheme reform. The National Licensing of Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Occupations Decision Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) examines the impact of replacing the current diverse state and territory licensing of the refrigeration and air-conditioning occupational area with a proposed national licensing approach. It considers the impact that each option would have on industry, consumers and government and is informed by stakeholder feedback on the options outlined in the Consultation RIS, which was released on 13 August 2012. It acknowledges that the status quo is the default option. A Decision RIS was prepared by the then Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education and assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation.

On 13 December 2013 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) decided not to pursue the proposed National Occupational Licensing Scheme reform. The National Licensing of Property Occupations Decision Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) examines the impact of replacing the current diverse state and territory licensing of the property occupational area with a national licensing system. It also examines an automatic mutual recognition option. It considers the impact that both options would have on industry, consumers and government, and is informed by stakeholder feedback on the options proposed in the Consultation RIS. The Decision RIS also acknowledges that the status quo would be the default option. A Decision RIS was prepared by the then Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education and assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation.

On 13 December 2013 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) decided not to pursue the proposed National Occupational Licensing Scheme reform. The National Licensing of Electrical Occupations Decision Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) examines the impact of replacing the current diverse state and territory licensing of the electrical occupational area with a national licensing system. It also examines an automatic mutual recognition option. It considers the impact that both options would have on industry, consumers and government, and is informed by stakeholder feedback on the options proposed in the Consultation RIS. The Decision RIS also acknowledges that the status quo would be the default option. A Decision RIS was prepared by the then Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education and assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation.