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Resource constraints, in particular access to water, remain a major challenge. Among many assistance measures taken recently in response to severe drought conditions, the Future Drought Fund (an initial credit of AUD 3.9 billion) is intended to provide a secure and continuous revenue stream for drought-related measures. The Government signed a new agreement with state and territory governments in December 2018 to form a joint approach on drought preparedness, response and recovery (...)

Australia is a strong supporter of developing enhanced fisheries subsidies disciplines in the WTO. Australia has sought clear, simple prohibitions in the core areas of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, overfished stocks, and overfishing and overcapacity. Australia has co-sponsored a proposal to cap (in monetary terms) fisheries support; drafted text on prohibiting subsidies for distant water fishing and subsidies to vessels not flying the subsidizing Member’s flag; and drafted text on notifications and transparency. Underlining the importance Australia attaches to transparency, and as an important indicator of Australia’s commitment to the process, Australia notified its fisheries specific subsidies by the 30 June deadline, as agreed by Ministers at the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC11).[29]

[29] Notifications in G/SCM/N/343/AUS.

Australia played an active role during the review period on the plurilateral Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA), including as Chair of those negotiations. The EGA’s aim was to eliminate WTO bound tariffs on an extensive list of environmental goods. Australia views the EGA as important in promoting the trade, uptake and production of goods and new technologies that help address environmental objectives, including climate change. The EGA has not been finalized and the last negotiations took place in November-December 2016.

Australia is a strong supporter of the WTO’s trade and environment agenda, including in the Committee on Trade and Environment. Australia has been actively involved in this work since the establishment of the WTO, and recognizes the environmental and sustainability objectives of the WTO in accordance with the Marrakesh Agreement (1994), Ministerial Decision on Trade and Environment (1994) and the Doha Round mandate.

Australia remains a strong supporter of the plurilateral Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) negotiations (...)

Australia is also actively participating in the WTO Fisheries Subsidies negotiations (...) in recognition of the potential contribution that subsidy reform could make to improve the sustainability of marine capture fisheries across the globe.

Australia has also co-sponsored with Canada, Mexico and New Zealand a proposal in the Council for Trade in Services in Special Session to explore market access in environmental services.[36] This proposal recognizes the potential of trade liberalization to contain the costs of meeting environmental goals.

[36] JOB/SERV/293.

Australia also continues to pursue trade and environment policies through FTA negotiations. Four of Australia's FTAs contain specific environment chapters: those with the US, Chile, Korea and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The CPTPP contains ambitious provisions, including on biodiversity, ozone protection, marine pollution from ships, invasive alien species, marine capture fisheries and transition to lower emissions. All of Australia's FTAs include provisions that allow governments to pursue legitimate public policy objectives including for environmental protection.

In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, which call for an increase in aid for trade support to least developed countries (LDCs), the Australian Government set a target in June 2014 to increase Australia's aid for trade investments to 20% of the total aid budget by 2020.

Table 3.7 Imports subject to prohibition or non-automatic licensing, 2019
Item: Endangered animal and plant species export
Justification: International commitment (CITES)
Measure: Importation of CITES-listed species generally require an export permit from the country of origin and an import permit issued by the Department of the Environment and Energy. For live animals and plants, the Department of Agriculture administers further regulations and restrictions.