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Regarding foreign investment in agricultural land and businesses, the Government assesses applications according to the following criteria : quality and availability of Australia's agricultural resources (including water) ... biodiversity, ...

The screening process applies to: proposed investments by foreign private investors involving the acquisition of a substantial interest (of 15% or more) in any business that is valued at over $A 252 million. However, as a result of RTA commitments, higher monetary thresholds (of $A 1,094 million) apply to investments in non-sensitive sectors by investors incorporated in United States (since 2005); New Zealand (since 2013); Chile (since 2014); and the Republic of Korea (since 2014). [46] (...)

[46] Sensitive sectors are: (...); and the extraction of (or holding of rights to extract) uranium or plutonium or the operation of nuclear facilities. In these sectors the general threshold of $A 252 million applies.

In the TRIPS Council, Australia shared information and its national experiences in the implementation of policies to streamline IP in the economy: (...) and sustainable resource and low-emission technology strategies.[146]

[146] WTO document IP/C/M/82/Add.1, 1 September 2016.

(…) In 2011/12, forestry, logging, horticulture, fruit-growing, aquaculture and fishing (section 4.2.3) were among the primary production activities benefiting from the highest effective rates of (combined) assistance.[28] (…)

[28] Assistance to forestry and logging has increased reflecting, inter alia, new structural adjustment packages for the Tasmanian forest industry (Productivity Commission, 2013d, Table 2.7).

Total energy production is approximately three times the total primary energy supply (TPES). Consequently, Australia is one of the world's leading energy exporters.[24] The TPES is dominated by fossil fuels, with coal and oil being responsible for about 39% and 30%, respectively, followed by natural gas whose share is over 25%. Hydro energy, wind, solar and biofuels make up the rest.

[24] The TPES is the sum of production and imports minus exports and storage changes.

A July 2009 National Strategy on Energy Efficiency aimed at developing a nationally consistent approach to energy-efficiency policy, reducing red tape, and helping businesses and households invest in modern cost-cutting technologies remains in place. It involves: legislation on appliance energy ratings and labels; mandating all new homes to achieve energy rating standards in the future; and accelerating the phasing-out of inefficient lighting, including a ban on incandescent light bulbs. (...)

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.

Box 4.2 State drought assistance programmes (June-December 2018)
New South Wales
Drought Assistance Fund: One-off AUD 50,000 interest-free loan for up to seven years (...) to implement systems to enhance sustainability (...)

In addition to tariff elimination, the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) improves market access for Australian exporters of services, including environmental services

Australia's objectives in negotiations on trade and environment issues are to liberalise international trade in environmental goods and services, recognising the important role that trade can play in addressing climate change and pursuing other environmental goals. Australia continues to work with other WTO Members on the relationship between WTO rules and specific trade obligations in multilateral environmental agreements, ensuring that trade measures do not clash with other relevant treaties and that environmental measures do not act as an avenue for trade protectionism. Australia is playing a lead role in negotiations with other WTO Members for a plurilateral agreement to liberalise trade in environmental goods.