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A July 2011 comprehensive package of clean energy proposals, the Securing a Clean Energy Future – the Australian Government's Climate Change Plan, aimed to consolidate existing policies and strengthen them with new initiatives contained in four key pillars: the introduction of a carbon price mechanism (repealed on 1 July 2014, section 3.4.1.3) [70]; the update of renewable energy (section 4.3.2.1.3); the improvement in energy efficiency; and action on the land. The Plan is accompanied by proposals to provide significant levels of financial support for innovation in clean energy technologies, including through: investments in renewable energy; the creation of a new $A 10 billion commercially oriented Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), which would invest in renewable energy, low‐emission, and energy‐efficient technologies ; as well as the creation of a new institution, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), which would separately administer $A 3.2 billion in government funding for existing research and development, demonstration and commercialisation of renewable energy. Legislation to establish ARENA was passed in 2011 and the Agency commenced operations on 1 July 2012. ARENA's funding was reduced and re-profiled as an element of the legislation repealing the carbon price mechanism, and further savings were announced in the 2014 Budget, along with a proposal introduced to the Australian Parliament to close the Agency, and move management of ARENA commitments and functions to the Department of Industry. Furthermore, many of the measures under the Plan were transposed into Commonwealth law through a Clean Energy Legislative Package, passed on 8 November 2011. According to the OECD, the scale of Australia's energy policy ambitions is enormous and very costly even for a resource-rich nation (section 4.3.2.1.3).

[70] Repealing the carbon tax and the Clean Energy Package was designed to: reduce the cost of living; lower retail electricity by around 9% and retail gas prices by around 7%; boost Australia's economic growth, increase jobs and enhance Australia's international competitiveness by removing an unnecessary tax; reduce ongoing annual compliance costs for around 370 liable entities by almost $A 90 million per annum; and remove over 1,000 pages of primary and subordinate legislation. For more details on the impact of this repeal, see Department of the Environment online information. Viewed at: http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/cleaner-environment/clean-air/repealing-carbon-tax.

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 (...)

Several general and industry-specific programmes, most of which are discussed in other sections of this report (section 3.4.2 and below), contributed to achieving the programme's objectives during 2012/13. They included: (...) Buy Australian at Home and Abroad [124]; Clean Technology Focus for Supply Chains Program; (...) Clean Business Australia – Green Building Fund; Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program; Clean Technology Investment Program; (...)

[124] The $A 58 million Buy Australian at Home and Abroad initiative assists firms to enhance their competitiveness and link with new business opportunities, particularly on major projects through the following activities: Australian Industry Participation Plans for major Commonwealth Procurement (section 3.2.8); Supplier Advocates; Resources Sector Supplier Advisory Forum and Envoy; Supplier Access to Major Projects (SAMP); and, Clean Technology Focus for Supply Chains (Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education online information. Viewed at: http://www.innovation.gov.au/INDUSTRY/BUYAUSTRALIANATHOMEANDABROAD/Pages/default.aspx).

Table 3.9 Anti-dumping duties terminated, 2015-April 2019
Tariff line(s): 2710.11.80; 2710.19.80; 3824.90.20; 3824.90.30; 2710.91.80; 2710.99.80
Product description: Biodiesel
Country of export: United States
Date terminated: 19.04.2016

Australia's international competitiveness has been focused on among other things adjustment to climate change, by considering the introduction of a cap-and-trade Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme

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); (...)