Regulation Impact Statement Updates

2019 Technical Amendments to the Gene Technology regulations 2001

3rd June 2019

COAG Decision Regulation Impact Statement – Legislative and Governance Forum on Gene Technology

On 8 April 2019, the Legislative and Governance Forum on Gene Technology agreed to technical amendments to Regulations made under the Gene Technology Act 2000.

The technical amendments seek to address ambiguities in the regulations, update the categorisation of contained dealings with GMOs and clarify the regulatory status of organisms derived from GMOs.

The Office of the Gene...

Changes to Minimum Energy Performance Standards for Air Conditioners

COAG

3rd June 2019

COAG Decision Regulation Impact Statement – COAG Energy Council

On 19 December 2018, the COAG Energy Council agreed to more stringent Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for air conditioners. Specific changes include: applying MEPS to single duct portable air conditioners, increasing MEPS for air conditioners with a capacity greater than 65 kW, reducing MEPS for double duct portable air conditioners, and adopting the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) standard for rating...

‘Open Banking’ – Banking Sector Consumer Data Right

Aust Gov

3rd June 2019

Independent Review – Department of the Treasury

On 13 February 2019, the Government introduced legislation to provide a consumer data right (CDR) over banking data for individuals and businesses.

The banking CDR is designed to give consumers of banking services more control over their information and, thereby, enable more choice in where they take their business, or provide more convenience in managing their money and services. By doing so, the CDR aims to increase competition...

Air Navigation (Exemption for commercial non-scheduled flights) Determination 2019

Aust Gov

5th April 2019

Remaking sunsetting instrument without significant amendments – Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities

On 22 March 2019, the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities (DIRDC) remade the Determination under subsection 15A(3) of the Air Navigation Act 1920, without significant amendment, for a period of 10 years until 1 April 2029.

Air Navigation (Exemption for Commercial Non-Scheduled Flights) Determination 2019 exempts aircraft...

Air Navigation (International Airline Licence Exemption) Determination 2019

Aust Gov

5th April 2019

Remaking sunsetting instrument without significant amendments – Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities

On 22 March 2019, the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities (DIRDC) remade the Determination under subsection 12(3) of the Air Navigation Act 1920, without significant amendment, for a period of 10 years until 1 April 2029.

Air Navigation (Exemption for Commercial Non-Scheduled Flights) Determination 2019 exempts airlines from the...

A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Regulations 2019

Aust Gov

5th April 2019

Remaking sunsetting instrument without significant amendments – Department of the Treasury

With effect from 1 April 2019, the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) remade the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Regulations 1999 (the 1999 Regulations), which were scheduled to sunset on 1 April 2019, with only minor amendments. Consequential amendments were also made to other regulations that referenced the 1999 Regulations.

The new A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax...

Australia – Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement

Aust Gov

5th April 2019

Independent Review - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

On 2 April 2019, the Government tabled the text of the Australia-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Parliament. This has now been referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties.

The bilateral FTA is expected to:

guarantee free flow of data across borders without mandatory local data storage requirements; secure a legal guarantee that Australian exporters will continue to receive Hong Kong’s zero-tariff...

Review of the Australian Standards for the export of livestock (ASEL): Sea Transport

Aust Gov

5th April 2019

Independent Review – Department of Agriculture and Water Resources

On 19 March 2019, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the Department) released the final report on the Review of the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL): sea transport, as well as its response.

The review was undertaken to ensure the standards for live exports are fit-for-purpose and reflect the latest science. The review assessed the export of livestock by sea, from sourcing...

Prime Minister’s exemption – Criminal Code Amendment (Sharing of Abhorrent Violent Material) Bill 2019

Aust Gov

5th April 2019

Prime Minister's Exemption - Attorney-General's Department

On 3 April 2019, the Government introduced the Criminal Code Amendment (Sharing of Abhorrent Violent Material) Bill 2019 into Parliament.

The Bill will introduce new offences in the Criminal Code to ensure that internet, hosting or content services proactively refer abhorrent violent material to law enforcement, and that hosting and content services expeditiously remove from their platforms abhorrent violent material...

Dairy Industry (Farmer-Processor Transactions) Code of Conduct

Aust Gov

5th April 2019

Regulation Impact Statement - Department of Agriculture and Water Resources

On 15 March 2019, the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources announced the Government will be proceeding with a dairy industry mandatory code of conduct (the code) to help shift the balance in bargaining power back towards dairy farmers. The code will create enforceable minimum standards of conduct for business practices between farmers and processors, and is aimed at improving pricing transparency in...