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Engagement under the EAS (East Asia Summit) finance stream has been supporting the emergence of the region's economic identity, by focusing Ministers' attention on the regional dimension of global economic issues, and other unique regional challenges. This has included consideration of the equity and environmental dimensions of sustainable economic growth (...)

The Forest Industries Climate Change Research Fund supports innovative forestry research projects focusing on climate change adaptation and mitigation, along with the development of sustainable bio -energy initiatives, hile the National Climate Change and Commercial Forestry Action Plan 2009-12 identified knowledge gaps and proposed actions to assist forest industries to respond to climate change

(…) A generally strict quarantine and inspection regime remains in place, while biosecurity reform has proceeded. (…)

Import prohibitions or restrictions are applied for various reasons, including public health or safety concerns, animal and plant life, environmental conservation, security, and international commitments. (…)

A White Paper on the Reform of Australia's Tax System, due to be completed by the end of 2015, is to provide a longer term approach to tax reform that is consistent with the Government's core principles of fairness and simplicity. Against this background, the Government has already delivered a large number of other key tax priorities, including: repealing the Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT) (September 2014) and the carbon pricing mechanism (July 2014); (...)

(…) Measures aimed at increasing broader-based productivity growth form an essential part of the Government's reform agenda [15] (…)

[15] Despite successive rounds of reforms it seems that progress has stalled or even reversed in some productivity-enhancing policy areas and the 'to do list' among the Productivity Commission's recommendations is still a fairly long one, including those to: (...) terminate selective industry subsidies (e.g. automotive and renewable energy industries) that cannot deliver demonstrable net social benefits; (...)

Under the Plant Breeder's Rights (PBR) Act 1994, last amended in 2012 (section 3.4.6), unauthorized use of protected plant varieties, and different kinds of false representation regarding plant varieties, are criminal offences. PBRs' registration lasts up to 25 years for trees and vines, and 20 years for other species. The changes introduced by the 2012 Act included amending a number of definitions in the PBR to ensure their consistency with the UPOV Convention (International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants). Enforcement of PBRs is generally the responsibility of holders of the rights through civil procedures, and the Customs has no seizure powers at the border (section 3.4.6.4). Between 2009 and 2012 PBR registrations dropped progressively by 48.9% to 144 (81 of which were from domestic breeders), primarily due to the long-term consequences of drought and natural disasters affecting both domestic and non resident applicants. In 2013, PBR registrations tracked back towards normal/average levels (237) with 123 registrations by domestic applicants. The United States, New Zealand and the Netherlands are the most active applicants and together comprised 69% of non-resident applications and registrations in 2013.

Australia is richly endowed with natural energy resources (uranium, coal, natural gas); it is the world's ninth largest energy producer, accounting for around 2.7% of global energy production and a major supplier to world markets (it is one of only three OECD countries that are net energy exporters). In 2012/13, petroleum-based productions (including crude oil, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)) accounted for 37.7% of Australian energy consumption, followed by coal (33%), gas (23.6%) and renewables (5.6%). Domestic use of nuclear power is not envisaged in the near future. As a result, inter alia, of a surge in investment in large and lumpy infrastructure projects, rising (evening) peak versus average demand for electricity, and a move to less polluting but higher cost production technologies, the average MFP growth rate for electricity, gas, and water supply activities rose slightly from minus 4.8% (2003/04-2007/08) to minus 4.5% (2007/08 2011/12), the second lowest after that of mining (section 4.3.1).

Import prohibitions and restrictions in the form of stringent quarantine or technical requirements are in place, in principle to preserve, inter alia, human, animal or plant life or health, environmental conservation, safety, security, and international commitments

Australia has also sought to pursue environmental objectives and enhance international cooperation in environmental matters of shared interest through FTA negotiations. Provisions are included in all of Australia's FTAs which allow governments to provide legitimate protection for their environments, while simultaneously guarding against trade distorting policies taken in the guise of environmental protection. Three of Australia's finalised FTAs also contain specific chapters on the environment: Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA), the Australia-Chile Free Trade Agreement (ACI-FTA) and the Australia-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA).