Download CCA_CFIStudyPublicReportAppendixA

Appendix B Requirements for authority
renewable energy target reviews
The Climate Change Authority Act 2011 (Cth) (the CCA Act) and Renewable Energy
(Electricity) Act 2000 (Cth) (the REE Act) establish the legislative requirements for the
Authority's RET review. Together, they cover requirements for timing, scope and conduct of the
reviews. The relevant parts of both of these Acts are reproduced below:
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Section 12 of the CCA Act sets out general principles that the Authority must have regard
to in conducting reviews.
Section 162 of the REE Act sets out the Authority’s specific requirements for reviewing
the RET.
The authority's principles (section 12 of the CCA act)
In performing its functions, the Authority must have regard to the following principles:
(a) the principle that any measures to respond to climate change should:
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be economically efficient; and
be environmentally effective; and
be equitable; and
be in the public interest; and
take account of the impact on households, business, workers and communities; and
support the development of an effective global response to climate change; and
be consistent with Australia’s foreign policy and trade objectives;
(b) such other principles (if any) as the Authority considers relevant.
Periodic reviews of operation of renewable energy legislation (section 162 of the REE act)
(1) The Climate Change Authority must conduct reviews of the following:
(a) the operation of this Act and the scheme constituted by this Act;
(b) the operation of the regulations;
(c) the operation of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) (Large-scale Generation Shortfall
Charge) Act 2000;
(d) the operation of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) (Small-scale Technology Shortfall
Charge) Act 2010;
(e) the diversity of renewable energy access to the scheme constituted by this Act, to be
considered with reference to a cost benefit analysis of the environmental and economic impact of
that access.
Public consultation
(2) In conducting a review, the Climate Change Authority must make provision for public
consultation.
Report
(3) The Climate Change Authority must:
(a) give the Minister a report of the review; and
(b) as soon as practicable after giving the report to the Minister, publish the report on the Climate
Change Authority’s website.
(4) The Minister must cause copies of a report under subsection (3) to be tabled in each House of
the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the review is completed.
First review
(5) The first review under subsection (1) must be completed before the end of 31 December
2012.
Subsequent reviews
(6) Each subsequent review under subsection (1) must be completed within 2 years after the
deadline for completion of the previous review.
(7) For the purposes of subsections (4), (5) and (6), a review is completed when the report of the
review is given to the Minister under subsection (3).
Recommendations
(8) A report of a review under subsection (1) may set out recommendations to the
Commonwealth Government.
(9) In formulating a recommendation that the Commonwealth Government should take particular
action, the Climate Change Authority must analyse the costs and benefits of that action.
(10) Subsection (9) does not prevent the Climate Change Authority from taking other matters
into account in formulating a recommendation.
(11) A recommendation must not be inconsistent with the objects of this Act.
(12) If a report of a review under subsection (1) sets out one or more recommendations to the
Commonwealth Government, the report must set out the Climate Change Authority’s reasons for
those recommendations.
Government response to recommendations
(13) If a report of a review under subsection (1) sets out one or more recommendations to the
Commonwealth Government:
(a) as soon as practicable after receiving the report, the Minister must cause to be prepared a
statement setting out the Commonwealth Government’s response to each of the
recommendations; and
(b) within 6 months after receiving the report, the Minister must cause copies of the statement to
be tabled in each House of the Parliament.
(14) The Commonwealth Government’s response to the recommendations may have regard to
the views of the following:
(a) the Climate Change Authority;
(b) the Regulator;
(c) such other persons as the Minister considers relevant.