Edition 19 - Dec 2021
The year 2021 was a challenging one for regulators. In this issue of Regulation Policy & Practice Monthly we look back at some of the issues we covered – the role of technology, red tape vs beige tape, and how to regulate to deliver public value.
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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
This special edition looks back on some of the diverse topics we covered in what was a very busy and challenging year for regulators as we began to shift towards some kind of ‘new normal’. We learnt about the difference between ‘red tape’ and ‘beige tape’, the potential of new technology to help regulators and different ways regulators are serving the public.
The NRCoP produced 10 guest-edited Regulation Policy & Practice Monthly newsletters with APO, which were widely read, with over 3656 individual downloads of our guest editorials. Read on as we look back over the fascinating topics we’ve covered during the course of 2021, or click here to catch up on all past editions of Regulation Policy & Practice Monthly.
NEW THIS MONTH
Right to repair: Productivity Commission inquiry report
Productivity Commission
1 Dec 2021 | Report | Economics
This report sets out the Productivity Commission’s findings and recommendations on the issue of a right to repair in Australia. The focus has been on whether there are barriers to repair that may require a government policy response, either through existing or new laws.
Regulating animal welfare services
Queensland Audit Office
30 Nov 2021 | Report | Environment
This report assesses the effectiveness of the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries' engagement with RSPCA Queensland, and whether the department is using the mechanisms available to provide oversight in administering the regulation of animal welfare services.
Set the standard: report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces
Australian Human Rights Commission
30 Nov 2021 | Report | Economics, Government, Social issues
In March 2021, the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces was established by the Australian government. Conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission and led by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, the review was asked to make recommendations to ensure that Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces are safe and respectful and that the nation’s Parliament reflects best practice in prevention and response to bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault.
Silicosis and the manufactured stone industry: an update
Parliamentary Research Service (NSW)
29 Nov 2021 | Briefing paper | Health
The NSW Legislative Council’s Standing Committee on Law and Justice is currently examining the management of silicosis in the manufactured stone industry as part of its annual review of the NSW Dust Diseases Scheme. This e-brief is a modified version of a paper that the NSW Parliamentary Research Service produced for the Committee in October 2021.
COVID-19: rental housing and homelessness impacts in Australia
Australian Council of Social Service, University of New South Wales
29 Nov 2021 | Report | Built environment, Social issues
This report shows renters on low and modest incomes are in the grip of a housing pincer, especially in regional Australia, as surging rents and the Commonwealth’s neglect of social and affordable housing creates acute stress.
Review of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority: final report
Government of Australia
24 Nov 2021 | Report | Economics
This review provided an opportunity for feedback on the operation of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) since its establishment, and to consider whether further enhancements should be made to ensure the external dispute resolution scheme is appropriately calibrated and operating effectively.
The action plan for critical technologies
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia)
17 Nov 2021 | Strategy | National security, Technology
This plan demonstrates the Australian government’s tangible actions to protect and promote critical technologies.
Blueprint for critical technologies
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia)
17 Nov 2021 | Strategy | National security, Technology
This resource outlines the Australian government’s framework for capitalising on critical technologies to drive a technologically-advanced, future-ready nation.
A changing climate: what investors expect from company directors on climate risk
Investor Group on Climate Change
15 Nov 2021 | Report | Economics, Environment
The objective of this report is to clearly articulate Australian investors’ expectations by detailing the experience, action and responsibilities required to constitute a climate competent board.
NDIS practice standards and quality indicators (Version 4)
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
15 Nov 2021 | Guide | Health, Social issues
These National Disability Insurance Scheme Practice Standards create an important benchmark for providers to assess their performance, and to demonstrate how they provide high quality and safe supports and services to NDIS participants.
Regulating gas pipelines under uncertainty: information paper
Australian Energy Regulator
15 Nov 2021 | Report | Economics
This information paper examines the factors causing downward pressure on domestic gas demand in Australia’s eastern states and options to manage the potential pricing risks for current and future gas consumers.
A study of cross-border profit shifting channels
Tax and Transfer Policy Institute (ANU)
8 Nov 2021 | Working paper | Economics
In this study, the authors investigate two cross-border profit shifting channels of foreign multinational enterprises (MNEs) in Australia and assess the effectiveness of the related measures adopted by the Australian Parliament to combat base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS).
The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on building system actors
Government of New Zealand
5 Nov 2021 | Report | Built environment, Economics
The purpose of this research is to provide insights to help the New Zealand building sector address the disruptions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, MBIE wanted to understand the impacts across performance, people, processes and products and the resulting implications on social, environmental and economic well-being.
Human induced regeneration: a spatiotemporal study
AnalytEcon
5 Nov 2021 | Report | Environment
Human induced regeneration (HIR) is one of a suite of carbon capture initiatives known as ‘methods’ for creating carbon credits that is overseen by the Clean Energy Regulator (CER). The objective of this study is to develop a suitable methodology to assess the effectiveness of the HIR projects.
Container stevedoring monitoring report 2020-21
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
4 Nov 2021 | Report | Economics
This report presents information on the financial and operational performance of the monitored container stevedores, as well as observations regarding key developments within the sector relating to COVID-19 and prior supply chain transformation, competition and port regulation.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Improving energy bills: final report
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia)
28 Oct 2021 | Report | Built environment, Economics
The report applies behavioural insights to the design of energy bills. It will inform the Australian Energy Regulator’s development of a new, 'Better Bills Guideline', in order to simplify energy bills so consumers can better understand and manage their energy usage and costs and find a better energy deal.
Cracks in the compact city: tackling defects in multi-unit strata housing
City Futures Research Centre (UNSW)
13 Oct 2021 | Report | Built environment
This report addresses the serious and growing problem of building defects in the trillion dollar multi-unit housing sector. The findings are intended to inform changes to planning and development policy and regulation, leading to improved building quality and safety, lower costs and stress for owners, more resilient urban communities, and better urban planning outcomes.
Improving consumer confidence: research report on serious defects in recently completed strata buildings across New South Wales
Government of New South Wales
6 Oct 2021 | Report | Built environment
The purpose of the report is to produce clear data on the problem of serious building defects in Class 2 residential apartment buildings in NSW. The report finds that 39% of strata buildings have experienced serious defects in the common property.
Evolving regulation and oversight in a systems world
NHS Providers
6 Oct 2021 | Briefing paper | Health
This briefing outlines the key implications for trusts of changes to the UK's National Health Service regulatory framework, in the context of accelerating system working and legislative change.
N1 Opportunity assessment: electric vehicles and the grid - final report 2021
RACE for 2030
1 Oct 2021 | Report | Built environment, Technology
This report has been compiled with the expertise of multiple experts across a broad range of disciplines relating to the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) and strategies to not only avoid significant detrimental impacts on the electricity grid but ways that EVs can improve the grid's performance.
Position statement on the cost-benefit analysis of the proposed regulation for accessible housing
Melbourne Disability Institute
29 Jun 2021 | Position paper | Built environment, Social issues
Mandatory accessible housing standards are to be incorporated into the National Construction Code (NCC). These will lead to major improvements in the quality of life for Australians living with disability and facilitate older Australians being able to age in place. It will make Australia a more inclusive and equal society.
Future of the risk management professional
Governance Institute of Australia
8 Dec 2020 | Report | Economics
This report looks at the areas likely to be driving changes to risk management in 2025, including business continuity and resilience, regulatory change and compliance, and cybersecurity) — and how these impacts will evolve by 2030 (with climate change and artificial intelligence becoming increasingly prominent).
Economic advice prepared to assist with responses to the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement on minimum accessibility standards for housing in the National Construction Code
Melbourne Disability Institute, Summer Foundation
19 Aug 2020 | Report | Built environment, Social issues
This report advises on the economic credentials of a possible regulation to include minimum accessibility standards in the National Building Code, and responds to a Regulatory Impact Statement consultation document released by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) at the request of the Australian Building Ministers Forum.
Proposal to include minimum accessibility standards for housing in the National Construction Code
Australian Building Codes Board
30 Jul 2020 | Report | Built environment
Finding suitable accommodation is important to all Australians and is a prerequisite for a happy, stable and dignified life. This Regulatory Impact Statement examines the likely costs and benefits associated with five different options being considered for the mandatory inclusion of accessible housing features in the National Construction Code (NCC).
National waste policy: action plan 2019
Government of Australia
8 Nov 2019 | Strategy | Economics, Environment
This plan complements and supports the implementation of better waste management plans by state and territory governments, local government, business and industry.
Researching the drivers of tax compliance behaviour among the wealthy and ways to improve it
HM Revenue and Customs
29 Apr 2019 | Report | Economics
This UK research aimed to understand: how wealthy people see themselves; what shapes their behaviour; how they plan and structure their tax affairs; how they view tax avoidance and evasion; and how HMRC could encourage voluntary compliance with the taxation system.
UPCOMING FREE EVENTS
Professional Development training for regulators: what can the Aussies learn from the Kiwi experience?
Wednesday 8 December 2021
12pm - 1:30 pm AEDT (14:00-15:30 NZDT)
Join the NRCoP for their final webinar event for 2021. In this event we will be joined by a panel of experts from Aotearoa - New Zealand to discuss the Government Regulatory Practice Initiative (G-REG).
The panel will be joined by Dr Lorraine Cherney to discuss the Australian Foundations of Regulatory Practice program and discover what tips the Aussies can learn from the Kiwi’s, as we prepare to roll out our own program for Australian regulators in 2022. Register here
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
Experienced Regulatory Economist
23 DEC 2021
Canberra / Remote
Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission
Are you excited by the chance to contribute to consumer welfare? Are you interested in leading projects on a diverse range of complex issues in a collaborative and supportive work environment? The ACT’s economic regulator—the ICRC—is seeking an experienced economist to join its regulatory team.
Regulatory Analyst/Economist
23 DEC 2021
Canberra / Remote
Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission
Are you excited by the chance to contribute to consumer welfare? Does working on diverse range of complex issues in a collaborative and supportive work environment interest you? The ACT’s economic regulator—the ICRC—is seeking two regulatory analysts to join its regulatory team.
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