Edition 18 - Nov 2021
Regulatory standards are an effective way for regulators to address harms across society, and Victoria’s new Child Safe Standards aim to address issues on abuse within institutions.
Emily Sanders, Director Regulation at the Victorian Commission for Children and Young People, outlines how regulators will use the standards to create safer environments for children. Read More
Other content comes from a wide range of regulatory agencies and can be further explored in the Regulation Policy & Practice Collection on APO.
If you have content suggestions for this Collection contact Penelope Aitken, Collections Editor, APO: paitken@apo.org.au
We also welcome topic suggestions for subsequent editions. Contact Dr Lorraine Cherney, Manager ANZSOG/NRCoP: regulators@anzsog.edu.au
And please remember, if your organisation is a member of the NRCoP you can advertise jobs for free via this form. Current jobs appear on the Regulation jobs board as well as in APO’s weekly newsletters and at the end of this newsletter.
GUEST EDITORIAL
It would be difficult to find a regulatory practitioner in Australia and New Zealand unfamiliar with the idea espoused by Professor Malcolm Sparrow that regulators can be highly effective when they commit to their role as a problem-solver.
Victoria’s new Child Safe Standards seek to address the problem of abuse of our children in institutions. These are institutions trusted by parents/carers and children alike – the sporting club, the religious organisation and the local school. Many parents/carers and children have been so dreadfully let down over decades by our institutions.
There has been wide-scale and significant harm with the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (the Royal Commission) finding that tens of thousands of children have been sexually abused in many Australian institutions.
By Emily Sanders
NEW THIS MONTH
Review of the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation Act 2018: final report
Government of Australia
28 Oct 2021 | Report | Built environment, Economics
The NHFIC Act was established in 2018 as a corporate Commonwealth entity mandated to provide a consistent regulatory environment to support the growth and development of the community housing sector. This review finds that the NHFIC Act has been a singularly significant and successful intervention by the Commonwealth, in an area where responsibilities between the federal government and other levels of government are not neatly aligned.
Mobile payment and digital wallet financial services
Parliament of Australia
27 Oct 2021 | Report | Economics, Technology
This inquiry report provides an overview of the payments ecosystem, outlining both old and new payment systems. It also provides an overview of the technologies that enable digital wallets and mobile payments, and details of the major platforms and services offered in Australia.
Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence: report
Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence
26 Oct 2021 | Report | Economics, Justice
This Royal Commission was established following the findings of the Bergin Inquiry. The Commission has found that Crown is unsuitable to hold a casino licence on the basis that it has engaged in conduct that is “illegal, dishonest, unethical and exploitative”.
The Grattan car plan: practical policies for cleaner transport and better cities
Grattan Institute
24 Oct 2021 | Report | Environment, Technology
According to this report there’s a proven way to reduce carbon emissions and unhealthy pollutants, without dictating to anybody what car they can drive. Australia should adopt an emissions standard, or ceiling, for new light vehicles, applied across the offering of each manufacturer, just like 80 per cent of the rest of the world does.
Review of WorkSafe New Zealand’s performance of its regulatory functions in relation to activities on Whakaari White Island
Government of New Zealand
22 Oct 2021 | Report | Environment, Government
This is a review of the way in which WorkSafe New Zealand performed its regulatory functions in relation to Whakaari White Island eruption in 2019.
Canada and the digitalization of money
Centre for International Governance Innovation
21 Oct 2021 | Report | Economics, Technology
This report shares key takeaways from a workshop held in August with international and Canadian experts to develop advice for policy makers, regulators and market participants on how to advance the digitalization of money with a view to serving the interests of the users of financial services, the soundness of the financial system and the competitiveness of the Canadian economy.
Delivering low carbon infrastructure
Buddle Findlay
21 Oct 2021 | Report | Built environment, Environment
In this publication, the authors discuss the challenges of decarbonisation in the existing regulatory framework, the need for innovation in green and sustainable funding options and the current trends in construction contracts to address carbon requirements.
Net zero and the tax system
Institute for Government
18 Oct 2021 | Policy report | Economics, Government
This report calls for a genuine public discussion on the potential of tax as a policy instrument alongside spending, regulation and other interventions to address the United Kingdom's transition to net zero.
Taking responsibility for our waste
Government of New Zealand
15 Oct 2021 | Discussion paper | Environment
Outlining options for both regulation of the waste sector and those working in it, and regulation of the products and materials currently disposed of through waste and recycling systems, this document presents the government's proposed vision and aspirations for a low-waste Aotearoa New Zealand.
Ransomware action plan
Government of Australia
13 Oct 2021 | Strategy | Justice, Technology
This document outlines the capabilities and powers that Australia will use to combat ransomware, seeks feedback on other regulatory reforms or voluntary incentives needed to promote the cyber security resilience of our digital economy, and provides information on where victims can go for help.
National safety and quality primary and community healthcare standards
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
12 Oct 2021 | Guide | Health
These standards have been developed for services that deliver health care in a primary and/or community setting. They are person-centred, and describe the processes and structures that are needed to deliver safe and high-quality health care.
Paris plus: from cost to competitive advantage
Climate Change Authority
8 Oct 2021 | Report | Environment
This paper outlines the Climate Change Authority's strategic framework and priorities for work to ensure Australia can set increasingly ambitious emissions reduction goals that address all sectors of the economy and policies backed by a strong evidence base.
Intellectual disability: safety and quality issues
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
7 Oct 2021 | Fact sheet | Health, Social issues
This fact sheet introduces the safety and quality issues that impact people with intellectual disability when they are accessing health care. It is part of a series of fact sheets for health service organisations. The aim of the fact sheets is to support improvement in the quality of health care for people with intellectual disability.
Safe and high quality care for people with intellectual disability
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
7 Oct 2021 | Fact sheet | Health, Social issues
This fact sheet provides clinicians with strategies to support improvements in the quality of healthcare for people with intellectual disability.
Intellectual disability: governance
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
7 Oct 2021 | Fact sheet | Health, Social issues
This fact sheet provides information to support better health care for people with intellectual disability. It identifies the clinical governance system essential for person-centred care for people with intellectual disability.
Occupational licensing and accountant quality: evidence from the 150-hour rule
National Bureau of Economic Research
4 Oct 2021 | Working paper | Economics
This paper examines the effects of occupational licensing on the quality of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), especially considering the adoption of the 150-hour rule, which increases the educational requirements for a CPA license.
Roadmap to deliver one million tech jobs
Technology Council of Australia
1 Oct 2021 | Strategy | Economics, Technology
Australia can be a world leader in creating and adopting new tech products. This strategy details the pathway for Australia to embrace the technology jobs opportunity.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Protecting students at work
University of Adelaide
14 Sep 2021 | Report | Economics, Education
This report summarises research, undertaken as part of an Australian Research Council Discovery Grant–funded project, which has been examining the challenges posed by the regulation of post-secondary forms of work experience.
2021 Australian infrastructure plan
Infrastructure Australia
2 Sep 2021 | Strategy | Built environment, Technology
The reforms outlined in this strategy document reflect an industry consensus that was developed in close collaboration with government, industry and communities. Infrastructure Australia completed a comprehensive engagement program that targeted more than 6,500 community members and industry stakeholders across Australia’s cities and regions.
Construct NSW: digitalisation of construction
Office of the NSW Building Commissioner, Centre for Smart Modern Construction
23 Aug 2021 | Report | Built environment, Technology
The purpose of the report is to determine how 'digital ready' the construction industry is to meet the opportunities of the digital future.
Inquiry into reform of South Australia’s regulatory framework: draft report
South Australian Productivity Commission
5 Aug 2021 | Draft report | Economics, Government
This draft report provides the South Australian Productivity Commission’s (Commission) initial findings and draft recommendations aimed at modernising South Australia’s (SA) regulatory framework. The task is to identify regulatory reforms to better support investment, reverse negative productivity trends and foster economic growth while protecting public interests.
Aged care quality standards
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
23 Jul 2021 | Fact sheet | Health, Social issues
This document outlining the Aged Care Quality Standards in Australia has been updated to reflect the new requirements that were introduced when the Serious Incident Response Scheme launched on 1 April 2021.
Natural language processing technologies in government: occasional paper
Australian Communications and Media Authority
10 Jun 2021 | Discussion paper | Communications, Technology
This research explores how emerging technologies could benefit regulatory decision-making. As a central feature, this paper considers technology applications that include ‘natural language processing’, a subset of artificial intelligence that analyses and processes text and speech.
Select Committee on Australia as a Technology and Financial Centre: second interim report
Parliament of Australia
30 Apr 2021 | Report | Economics
In the second phase of the inquiry, the committee has again categorised its work across the key areas of: tax settings; regulatory issues; access to capital; and skills and culture. This report also includes a standalone chapter on blockchain and digital assets, which is an area that will be of continued focus for the remainder of the committee's inquiry.
New tech applications for regulatory outcomes: occasional paper
Australian Communications and Media Authority
30 Mar 2021 | Discussion paper | Communications, Technology
This paper considers developments in the use of Regulatory Technology (RegTech), including its application in the communications and media sector. This research is intended to ensure the ACMA, as Australia’s communication and media regulator, is aware of current and emerging developments.
Evaluating the use of remote assessments by local authorities for regulating food businesses
Food Standards Agency (United Kingdom)
24 Mar 2021 | Report | Health
This report presents the findings of an evaluation on the use of remote techniques by local authorities to carry out food hygiene and food standards assessments across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Building for the future
Government of New Zealand
22 Dec 2020 | Strategy | Built environment
This strategy focuses on opportunities for building regulation in the next 10 to 15 years, to provide people with safe, healthy, durable, accessible buildings that support social, economic and environmental wellbeing now and in the future.
Regulatory technology: information paper
Productivity Commission
9 Oct 2020 | Briefing paper | Economics, Technology
Regulatory technology (regtech) is the use of technology to better achieve regulatory objectives. This paper is a discussion starter, targeted at policy makers and regulators. It identifies areas where regtech has been useful and offers further potential. It also highlights factors that policy makers and regulators should consider in adopting regtech, and in enabling greater use of regtech.
Rapid literature review on effective regulation: implications for the Care Quality Commission
Care Quality Commission
30 Sep 2020 | Literature review | Government, Health
This report presents the findings of a rapid literature review on what constitutes effective regulation, specifically in health and social care sectors but also more broadly.
Select Committee on Financial Technology and Regulatory Technology: first interim report
Parliament of Australia
2 Sep 2020 | Report | Economics, Science
Australia has a vibrant and growing FinTech sector, with a significant number of startups and early stage ventures. Australia's RegTech industry is comparatively less well developed. This inquiry is about ensuring the settings are optimal to encourage and support Australian FinTech and RegTech businesses.
CQC’s impact on the quality of care
Care Quality Commission
8 Apr 2020 | Report | Health
This report was commissioned by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as part of the evaluation of CQC’s five-year strategy, and aims to provide an in-depth assessment of the relationship between CQC’s regulatory approach, and improvement in quality of health and social care.
UPCOMING FREE EVENTS
The challenge of leading a regulator
Wednesday 24 November 2021
12pm - 1pm AEDT
Facilitator: Adam Beaumont (NRCoP National Committee Member)
Presenters: Cheryl Batagol (experienced Board Chair and former Chair of EPA Victoria) and John Merritt, (Chair of WorkSafe Victoria and former Executive Director of WorkSafe)
It is one thing to be a good leader of an organisation and adopt leadership styles that bring out the best in your people, deliver on your vision and maintain your social licence to operate, but how does that change when you lead a regulator? Register now.
JOBS BOARD
Did you know that NRCoP members can advertise jobs for free on APO? Jobs appear in this newsletter as well as in APO’s regular newsletters, Policy Pulse and Policy Weekly and on the Regulation Policy and Practice Jobs Board.
“We recently used the APO Jobs Board to advertise a number of senior regulatory roles. We were delighted with the results – strong fields of well qualified candidates. The APO Jobs Board gave our recruitment campaign a great profile and much wider reach. It is a practical resource for quickly connecting regulators looking
for their next challenge to opportunities in agencies across the community of practice.”
- Roxane Marcelle-Shaw, CEO / Executive Director, Professional Standards Authority
Director, Regulatory Practice
12 NOV 2021
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra
Australia and New Zealand School of Government
Reporting to the Deputy CEO - Thought Leadership, and working closely day-to-day with National Regulators Community of Practice (NRCoP) members, this position supports and advances a range of innovative activities designed to engage and connect practitioners and support ANZSOG’s owner governments solve a range of...
Director, Construction and Earth Resources
19 NOV 2021
Melbourne
WorkSafe Victoria
Reporting to the Head of Regulated Industries, the Director of Construction and Earth Resources is a collaborative leadership role working across the Health and Safety Business Unit (HSBU) with the aim of reducing injury, illness and fatalities in Victorian workplaces. This is a pivotal and...
We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Peoples of Australia and Māori as tangata whenua and Treaty of Waitangi partners in Aotearoa-New Zealand.
Refer to ANZSOG's privacy policy here.
