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Table 3.4 Prohibited and restricted imports, 2014
- Goods: Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises)
- Reason: Environmental conservation
- Policy agency/permit-issuing agency: Department of the Environment

- Goods: Endangered animal and plant species
- Reason: International commitment (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES))
- Policy agency/permit-issuing agency: Department of the Environment

- Goods: Fish/toothfish
- Reason: Environmental conservation
- Policy agency/permit-issuing agency: Australian Fisheries Management Authority

- Goods: Hazardous waste
- Reason: International commitments (Basel Convention, OECD Council Decision C(92)39)
- Policy agency/permit-issuing agency: Department of the Environment

- Goods: Hydroflurocarbons (HFCs)
- Reason: Environmental conservation
- Policy agency/permit-issuing agency: Department of the Environment

- Goods: Incandescent lamps
- Reason: Energy saving
- Policy agency/permit-issuing agency: Department of Industry

- Goods: Ozone-depleting substances/synthetic greenhouse gases
- Reason: Environmental conservation/international commitment (Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989)
- Policy agency/permit-issuing agency: Department of the Environment

- Goods: Pesticides and other hazardous chemicals
- Reason: Public health or safety concerns
- Policy agency/permit-issuing agency: Department of Agriculture

- Goods: Polychlorinated biphenyls, terphenyls, and polyphenyls
- Reason: International commitments – Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
- Policy agency/permit-issuing agency: Department of Environment

- Goods: Radioactive substances
- Reason: Community protection/international commitments
- Policy agency/permit-issuing agency: Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

Australia's priority sectors for market opening in global services trade reform efforts include financial services, telecommunications, professional services, education, mining-related and environmental services.

Australia's G20 energy agenda for 2014 included building the resilience of energy markets, strengthening global energy architecture, strengthening gas markets, and bolstering energy efficiency. The Group developed the G20 principles on Energy Collaboration and the G20 Energy Efficiency Action Plan. The G20 principles established a set of priorities for G20 collaboration on energy and lay the foundation for future work. The Energy Efficiency Action Plan documents six areas of practical energy efficiency work for ongoing collaboration among G20 members. In 2014, the G20 also held the inaugural G20-International Energy Forum Gas Market Dialogue.

(…) During the review period, sectoral policy developments have focused largely on ensuring a sustainable, productive and resilient agricultural base, supported by measures on drought relief, water and land management, farm finance and rural research. (...)

(…) Sectoral policy developments have focused largely on ensuring a sustainable, productive and resilient agricultural base supported with measures on drought-relief, water- and land-management, farm finance and rural research. (...)

In the face of an increasingly variable climate, the Commonwealth Government provides a range of assistance to farmers and primary producers. During the review period, Australia reformed its drought assistance driven by the 2008 National Review of Drought Policy. In 2013, the Commonwealth, state and territory governments signed the Intergovernmental Agreement on National Drought Program Reform that outlines a new approach to drought programmes and aims to encourage farmers to prepare for, and manage the effects of, drought and other challenges, rather than relying on government support. A key step in this direction was the closure of the Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidy on 30 June 2012, as well as that of the Exceptional Circumstances Arrangements on 30 June 2014. On 26 February 2014, as a result of prolonged and severe drought in some areas of Australia, a temporary $A 320 million drought assistance package was introduced for 2013/14 and 2014/15 only and included: more generous criteria for accessing income support as from early March 2014; drought concessional loans totalling $A 280 million for debt-restructuring, operating expenses and drought recovery and preparedness activities; assistance of up to $A 12 million for the installation of water related infrastructure; and, $A 10 million assistance to help reduce the impact of pest animals in drought affected areas. Furthermore, under the Water for the Future headline initiative, the 2013 Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin programme involves purchasing of unencumbered water entitlements and encourages enhanced irrigation efficiency. Water savings generated through the use of these programmes are shared between proponents and the environment with at least 50% of the water savings transferred to the Commonwealth Government.

(…) A range of initiatives and measures have continued to improve fisheries' management and thus the sustainability of fish stocks for the long-term viability of the sector.

(...) A range of initiatives and measures have continued to improve fisheries' management and thus the sustainability of fish stocks for the long-term viability of the sector.

Australia continues to implement a range of initiatives and measures to improve fisheries management and ensure the sustainability of fish stocks for the long-term viability of the industry. (…) Australia reviewed, inter alia, its 2007 Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy and Guidelines (completed in 2013), and released the Commonwealth Policy on Fisheries Bycatch in May 2013, and the second National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (Shark-plan 2), in July 2012. Key priorities for 2013-14 included simplifying the regulatory environment, and managing ecological and compliance risks. The Fisheries Legislation Amendment Act 2013 strengthened provisions making corporations and other persons responsible for any unlawful conduct engaged in by their employees, agents or directors in particular circumstances. Industry became a partner in managing Commonwealth fisheries with amendments to fisheries-management legislation in 2010/11 enabling the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to enter into co management arrangements, giving powers and functions to primary stakeholders in individual fisheries

Australia's key commercial stocks are managed in accordance with the Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy and Guidelines which applies an evidence-based, precautionary approach to setting catch levels. Resource Assessment Groups provide advice on the status of fish stocks and the impact of fishing on the marine environment, including recommendations to the AFMA Commission on issues such as: the setting of total allowable catches (TACs); stock rebuilding targets; biological and economic reference points; and risk assessments. AFMA sets the TAC based on estimates of the take by state commercial fishers and recreational anglers as well as other mortality sources. By October 2013, Australian fish stocks were considered in good shape as key wild fish stocks were largely sustainable. Of the 93 Commonwealth managed stocks assessed in 2012, 63 were classified as not overfished (59 in 2009) and 77 stocks are classified as not subject to overfishing (73 in 2009); 9 stocks were classified as overfished (12 in 2009) and 4 stocks as subject to overfishing (10 in 2009). Similarly stocks managed by state and Northern Territory governments appear to be in generally good condition, with the national Status of Key Australian Fish Stocks Report 2012 indicating that most stocks were neither overfished nor subject to overfishing.