Regulation Impact Statement Updates

Remaking of Sunsetting Instrument without Significant Amendments

26th April 2017

NATIONAL HEALTH (PHARMACEUTICAL BENEFITS) REGULATIONS 1960

The National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Regulations 2017 (F2017L00313) came into effect on 1 April 2017. The Regulations replace the National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Regulations 1960 which were due to sunset on that date. The Regulations are essential to the ongoing administration and delivery of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and were remade without significant amendment.

Consistent with the...

Amendments to Fair Work Legislation

Aust Gov

26th April 2017

Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption – Department of Employment

On 22 March 2017, the Government introduced the Fair Work (Corrupting Benefits) Bill 2017 (the Bill) into the House of Representatives.

The Bill will amend the Fair Work Act 2009 in response to recommendations 40, 41 and 48 of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption (TURC Report), to promote better governance of registered organisations.

...

Lupin as an Allergen

COAG

18th April 2017

COAG Decision Regulation Impact Statement – Food Standards Australia New Zealand

On 9 March 2017, Food Standards Australia New Zealand approved a draft variation to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, with a 12-month transition period, to regulate food containing lupin as an allergen.

The Decision Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) for Lupin as an Allergen was released on 23 March 2017.

Lupin is an emerging food allergen of public health significance in...

Agreement to Amend Singapore Australia Free Trade Agreement

Aust Gov

13th April 2017

Independent Review – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

On 20 March 2017, the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment the Hon Steven Ciobo MP tabled the text of the Agreement to Amend the Singapore Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) in the Parliament.

The SAFTA entered into force in 2003. It forms the central pillar of Australia’s economic relationship with Singapore and provides the legal framework for the trading relationship between the two countries. While all...

Risk Management Systems of Responsible Entities

Aust Gov

7th April 2017

Regulation Impact Statement – Australian Securities and Investment Commission

On 27 March 2017, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) released guidance on risk management systems of responsible entities.

Australian financial services (AFS) licensees have an ongoing legal obligation to have adequate risk management systems in place. The released guidance on risk management systems provides tailored guidance for responsible entities on how to meet the...

Prime Minister’s exemption – Sugar Industry Code

Aust Gov

5th April 2017

Department of the Treasury

On 4 April 2017, the Treasurer prescribed the Competition and Consumer (Industry Code—Sugar) Regulations 2017 (‘the Code’) as a mandatory industry code under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

The Code:

provides for an arbitration process for supply contracts between sugar suppliers and millers; provides for an arbitration process for on-supply agreements between millers and marketers; and ensures that growers have a right to choose...

Non-compliance with COAG’s best practice regulation requirements – Gas market reform: Binding arbitration framework

COAG

4th April 2017

COAG Energy Council

On 14 December 2016, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council agreed to implement a compulsory arbitration framework for gas pipeline access.

In making this decision the COAG Energy Council did not comply with the Council of Australian Governments’ best practice regulation requirements to prepare a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS).

Remaking of Sunsetting Instrument Without Significant Amendments

Aust Gov

4th April 2017

Class Order Relief for Business Introduction or Matching Services – Australian Securities and Investments Commission

On 29 March 2017, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) remade the Class Order (CO 02/273) without significant amendments.

The Class Order 02/273 provides conditional exemptions from the fundraising and debenture requirements in the Corporations Act 2001 (the Act) for persons involved in making or calling attention to offers of securities...

Woomera Prohibited Area

Post-implementation Reviews

3rd April 2017

Post-implementation Review – Department of Defence

On 8 August 2014 the Defence Legislation Amendment (Woomera Prohibited Area) Act 2014 received royal assent. The Act amended the Defence Act 1903 to establish a regulatoryframework to administer access to the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA) following recommendations made in the Government Review of the Woomera Prohibted Area 2011.

A Regulation Impact Statement was required, however exceptional circumstances were granted by the...

Interactive Gambling Restrictions

Aust Gov

3rd April 2017

Regulation Impact Statement – Department of Communications

On 10 November 2016, the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016 was introduced in Parliament, following the Review of Illegal Offshore Wagering which found that between $64 and $400 million is spent on illegal online wagering services each year. The Bill amends the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 to prohibit ‘click to call’ in-play betting services and increases powers of the Australian Communications and Media Authority to...