Energy Articles | Compliance Quarter

State Support for Renewable Energy in California

Last week the CEO of PG & E, Geisha Williams, California’s largest utility provider, explained PG & E’s move away ...
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OAIC releases first quarterly statistics report under the NDB Scheme

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter. Photo by Jefferson Santos on Unsplash The OAIC has published its first quarterly statistics report ...
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Expanding into the New Zealand electricity retail market? The broad contours of the New Zealand system

Last week, New Zealand’s electricity regulator announced that “consumer choice has reached record levels, with 47 different retail brands now ...
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Two Billion Dollar Opportunities for Innovation in the Energy Market

Innovation in the Energy Market - If you believe the news, we are in the midst of an energy crisis ...
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AER Reporting procedures and guidelines amended

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter. AER Reporting procedures - The Australian Energy Regulator has released an updated AER (Retail Law) ...
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Five Key Considerations for Prospective Energy Retailers

Key considerations for energy retailers - So, your business has decided to obtain an energy retail authorisation? We have seen ...
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The ‘New Reg’ trial: towards increased consumer participation in network regulation

On 23 March, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), Energy Consumers Australia and Energy Networks Australia announced the ‘New Reg’ initiative ...
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Are you paying lip service to your customer hardship obligations?

Under the National Energy Retail Law (see sections 43-51) and associated Rules (see rules 31 and 71-73), energy retailers have ...
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Solar industry telemarketing practices are under the microscope by the ACMA

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has ramped up its enforcement activities in relation to telemarketing practices in the ...
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Is embedded generation right for your business? Three questions to ask

Supporting compliance in embedded networks is an important focus here at Compliance Quarter. Embedded networks are private electricity networks or ...
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Electricity Retail Regulation Masterclass- Video 1

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Compliance Quarter’s March Energy Roundup

In our March energy news update we summarise the key regulatory changes and consultations announced in March that all energy ...
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New energy zones identified in New South Wales

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter. The New South Wales Government (government) has lodged a submission with the Australian Energy Market ...
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Solar feed-in tariffs 2018/19 for NSW call for submissions

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter. The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has released an Issues Paper for discussion on ...
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EWON Consultation Review

EWON Consultation Review - Under the new Retail Exemption Guidelines and Network Exemption Guidelines – from July 2018 – All ...
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Revised Exempt Selling Guideline released

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter. The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has released an updated Retail (Exempt) Selling Guideline Version 5 March ...
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Misconceptions in Embedded Networks: Beware Common Errors

Last Friday we ran a free webinar on the common misconceptions in embedded networks for exempt and authorised retailers. You ...
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Update: Electricity and Other Legislation (Batteries and Premium Feed-in Tariff) Amendment Bill 2018

On 15 March 2018, the QLD State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee ('Committee') published its report on the Electricity ...
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Distributor pays $60,000 penalty for alleged breaches: how to ensure your energy business is meeting its c

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has issued infringement notices to Energex after the distributor allegedly left life support (LS) customers ...
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New Metering Coordinator requirements and Exempt Selling Guideline are in force

This is a quick update on the Australian Energy Regulator’s recent announcements regarding Metering Coordinator requirements and the revised Exempt ...
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Opportunities for innovators in frequency control? ARENA invests half a million in wind farm feasibility study

Opportunities for innovators in frequency control? ARENA invests half a million in wind farm feasibility study. The Australian Renewable Energy ...
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February Fintech Roundup: The Open Banking Review and Fintech lending to SMEs

February Fintech Roundup: The Open Banking Review and Fintech lending to SMEs. In February we saw the release of two ...
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Embedded Network Managers in Queensland: What’s the Deal?

Embedded Network Managers in Queensland: What's the Deal? In a previous post, we looked at the Electricity and Other Legislation ...
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New Registration Exemption Guideline released

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter. The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has released an updated Electricity Service Provider - Registration Exemption ...
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Property group penalised $60,000 by AER for alleged unauthorised sale of energy

Photo by Jordan Andrews on Unsplash By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter. Property group penalised $60,000 by AER for alleged unauthorised sale of energy ...
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Energy Updates: Customer Hardship.

This morning we ran a webinar on Customer Hardship. A recording of the webinar is available to our clients via ...
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The International Energy Agency Review: Are state and territory energy policies evolving in in an “unco-ordinated manner leading to fragmented markets and suboptimal outcomes”?

A couple of weeks ago the International Energy Agency (IEA) released a lengthy report (250 pages) on their review of ...
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Shorter maximum timeframes for smart meter installation?

The Federal Government announced on 21 February that it has submitted a rule change request to the Australian Energy Market ...
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Feedback sought on Rate of Return methodology for Network Businesses

On 28 February 2018, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) released three discussion papers as part of their review of the ...
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The QLD Electricity and Other Legislation (Batteries and Premium Feed-in Tariff) Amendment Bill 2018

On 15 February, the Electricity and Other Legislation (Batteries and Premium Feed-in Tariff) Amendment Bill 2018 was introduced to the ...
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Understanding the Reliability Obligation: Part 2 of the NEG Consultation

We recently discussed the Energy Security Board’s (ESB) consultation on high-level design for the emissions obligation in the National Energy ...
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ACCC compliance and enforcement priorities for 2018 include energy

In this article, we examine ACCC compliance and enforcement priorities for 2018, including energy and the consumer data right. By ...
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Service Classification, Asset Exemption, Revenue Proposals and RIT Applications: AER seeks feedback

In today’s update, we provide a whirlwind summary of three issues (Service Classification, Asset Exemption, Revenue Proposals and RIT Applications) ...
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Window safety devices in common areas

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter. Owners corporations must ensure that all windows fitted to common property, above the ground floor, ...
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AGL pays penalty for failing to inform customers that contract ending

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter. The AGL group of companies has paid penalties totalling $60,000 in response to three infringement ...
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Advance warning of energy discount expiry

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter. The National Energy Retail Amendment (Notification of end of fixed benefit period) Rule 2017 No ...
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Further information on the National Energy Guarantee

Yesterday we received some further information on the National Energy Guarantee in the form of a consultation paper. We have ...
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Explicit Informed Consent: Energy Industry Refresher

Explicit informed consent is required to 'switch' a consumer from one retailer to another. Following extensive news and political coverage ...
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Webinars with the Energy Experts at Compliance Quarter

In addition to our regular news updates and analysis, the regulatory energy experts at Compliance Quarter have been busy helping ...
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Consultation on Exposure Draft on Australian Consumer Law (ACL) Amendments

The Government recently released an exposure draft of a Bill (the draft Bill) capturing many of the recommendations of 2017’s ...
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Are you prepared for 1 April 2018? Five questions about the new registration requirements for the sale or supply of electricity in Victoria

The ESC announces registration and provision of key information in relation to the sale or supply of electricity in Victoria ...
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Safety Management system reporting requirements under review – NSW

Photo by Adam Birkett on Unsplash By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter. The Electricity Supply (Safety and Network Management) Regulation 2014 requires all NSW electricity network ...
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New restrictions on foreign investment in energy infrastructure

On February 1, the Commonwealth Government announced new restrictions on foreign investment in energy - future applications for the sale ...
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New electricity and gas consumption benchmarks apply from March 2018

We recently discussed changes to the way in which retail pricing information is communicated to retail customers (see https://compliancequarter.com.au/new-format-communicating-retail-pricing-information-energy-customers/). Another ...
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New format for communicating Retail Pricing Information to energy customers

There has been strong demand over the last few years for improved customer access to information that will help them ...
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Webinar Recording: Legal Update: Power Purchase Agreements (PPA’s): Key legal concerns

Under a PPA, the energy consumer pays for electricity consumed or generated from a solar PV system installed on their ...
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Webinar Recording Energy Updates: AEMC taking the axe to Embedded Network Exemptions

If implemented, the AEMC recommendations will effectively take an axe to the existing regulation of embedded networks - embedded network ...
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GEMS Act Review, Renewable Energy Targets and AER announcements: January 2018 Energy Compliance Update

With only the first month of the year gone there have already been a range of regulatory initiatives announced that ...
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New law proposed strengthening ATO’s powers: Are you ensuring that your employees get their Superannuation entitlements?

The Government is currently seeking submissions on an exposure draft of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Taxation and Superannuation Guarantee Integrity ...
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NSW water compliance reform: Expected changes in 2018

NSW irrigators will soon be subject to a host of new water compliance reform obligations, due to a swift government ...
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New Design and Distribution Obligations for Financial Products

On 21 December 2017, the Government began consultation on the exposure draft of a new law (the draft Bill) which ...
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Strengthening protections for customers requiring life support equipment

Photo by Jair Lázaro on Unsplash By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter. The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has today released ...
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The Demand Management Incentive Scheme

Last month we talked about Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) funding of the ‘Innovative ...
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Who has Life Support Obligations in an Embedded Network?

As part of the ‘Power of Choice’ reforms, on 1 December 2017, the life support notification obligations for embedded networks ...
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Consultation on draft exempt embedded network guidelines (part two): what is a ‘dedicated connection asset’?

Last week we looked at some of the proposals contained in the draft electricity network service provider registration exemption guideline ...
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Embedded Network Operators take note: A new General Exemption Order in Victoria

The sale of electricity in Victoria is regulated by the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (VIC). Sellers must either operate under ...
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Taking the Axe to Embedded Network Exemptions

Yesterday we spoke about the final Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) report on the regulation of embedded networks. Recommendations from ...
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Consultation on draft exempt embedded network guidelines (part one): embedded network managers take note

On 17 November, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) released the latest Draft Guideline – Exemption from Registration as a Network ...
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Understanding GDPR: Opportunities and Risks

In this post on understanding GDPR, we'll look at the following: Data Disruption Regulation in the age of Data The ...
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Greater Regulation of Embedded Networks in 2018

Today we look at two new publications that will impact the regulation of embedded networks in 2018. This month saw ...
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A new Consumer Data Right for 2018: What we Know So Far

On 26 November the Federal Government announced its intention to legislate a national Consumer Data Right next year, following the ...
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Is it time we had an energy sandbox to encourage innovation?

Should we be looking to collaborate with the energy industry regulators and push for an energy sandbox that will foster ...
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How might smart contracts fit into your 2018 compliance program?

‘Smart contracts’ have not yet taken off as a common commercial tool in Australia. In light of this, consideration of ...
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Transitional Compliance for Embedded Network Managers (ENM): The Key Facts

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has just announced that a transitional compliance approach to the new embedded network manager (ENM) ...
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The proposed new dispute resolution obligations for exempt sellers

We recently summarised the changes proposed in the new draft retail exempt selling guideline (the draft guideline) issued by the ...
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The Amending WIC Act: Upcoming regulatory changes for water infrastructure in New South Wales (including recycled water, stormwater and wastewater)

Last week we talked about the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal NSW (IPART) Review of Compliance and Enforcement Policy (read ...
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How minority shareholders might take action against corporation wrongdoing

In the past, we have looked at some of the existing powers and proposed powers that the Australian Securities & ...
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The Australia/NZ FinTech collaboration: Three things to bear in mind if offering FinTech services across the Tasman

On 19 October, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) and New Zealand’s Financial Markets Authority (FMA) “re-affirmed” a commitment ...
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Innovative demand response programs being trialled for the upcoming summer

On 11 October, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) jointly announced that 10 ...
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AER seeking feedback on revised Draft Retail Exempt Selling Guideline

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter. On 6 November 2017 the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) released a revised Draft Retail Exempt ...
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ASIC Annual Report: Current and future directions for compliance

On Thursday, 26 October, the Annual Report of the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) was tabled in the House ...
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Data Protection Officer – Which Businesses Need One & What do they do?

We have previously looked at the sweeping changes to privacy laws coming into effect in the EU. These laws will ...
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IPART review of Compliance and Enforcement Policy

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter. The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal NSW (IPART) is currently undertaking a review of its ...
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October FinTech update: The new FinTech services and products to be trialled through the regulatory sandbox

Several months ago, we discussed the Government’s announced expansion of the FinTech regulatory sandbox (https://compliancequarter.com.au/regulatory-changes/). It was proposed then to ...
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A poll to pass a resolution not to appoint an Embedded Network Manager– Caravan park operators take note

The AEMC has made a number of rule changes which come in to force on 1 December 2017. The changes ...
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OAIC Annual Report 2017: Three developments of note for businesses that deal with personal information

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) released its Annual Report last month. It summarises the work of the ...
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The National Energy Guarantee (NEG)—what we know so far

On 17 October, the Commonwealth Government announced that it intends to introduce a ‘National Energy Guarantee' (NEG) scheme.[1] The scheme ...
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How network costs drive price in the National Electricity Market: The latest from the ACCC Retail Electricity Pricing Inquiry

We have looked at a range of reports, inquiries and policies over the last few months which are, at least ...
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National Energy Guarantee – What does it mean for the energy industry?

The Turnbull Government yesterday announced that it would accept the recommendation of the Energy Security Board (ESB) for the introduction ...
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All you need to know about the abolition of Limited Merits Review: Six Q & A for the Australian energy industry.

On 16 October, the federal Government passed the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Abolition of Limited Merits Review) Bill 2017 (the ...
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An update on the OTC derivative client money reforms: be ready for 4 April 2018

A few months ago, in The low-down on the retail client money reforms for OTC derivatives, we looked at client ...
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Banking Executive Accountability Regime Exposure Draft – Part Two

Last time in The Banking Executive Accountability Regime (BEAR) Exposure Draft - Part One we talked about the new role ...
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Revised Compliance procedures and guidelines released for review

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has released a consultation draft of proposed new AER Compliance ...
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The Banking Executive Accountability Regime (BEAR) Exposure Draft- Part One

In May we talked about the Government’s Budget commitment to a new Banking Executive Accountability Regime (BEAR) in Budget 2017 ...
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Updates to the Compliance HUB

Today we are pleased to announce a number of updates to the Compliance HUB. The focus of our most recent ...
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New review of regulatory arrangements for embedded networks

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter On 12 September 2017 the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) released a Draft Report which ...
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Unfair contract terms

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter UPDATE: In the JJ Richards matter the Federal Court has declared by consent that eight of ...
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Power of Choice Procedure Changes Package 3 released

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter The Australian Energy Market Operator has released Package 3 changes to amend a number of ...
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AEMC releases draft rule to support a competitive market for ‘behind the meter’ battery storage

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter The Australian Energy Market Commission has released a draft rule to support a competitive market ...
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A braided network of reviews and investigations into the Murray-Darling river basin

On 31 July, the Prime Minister requested the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) to consider conducting a nation-wide compliance review (https://www.mdba.gov.au/media/mr/basin-wide-compliance-review) ...
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Energy Storage Reforms suggested by the Clean Energy Council

In May 2017, the Clean Energy Council (CEC) released a Briefing Paper, Charging Forward: Policy and regulatory reforms to unlock ...
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The superannuation overhaul: seven areas of reform in the draft bill out for consultation

Today we look at proposed changes to regulatory obligations for those operating in the superannuation sector. Namely, the seven key ...
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An open banking regime for Australia: July fintech update

On July 20, the Government announced that an independent review has been set up to consider the best process for ...
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Key definitions under the Energy Retail Law

There are some key definitions contained in the Energy Retail Law which need to be understood. Chapter 10 of the ...
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APRA’s new capital benchmarks for banks

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has just announced that it is increasing the capital adequacy ratios for banks and ...
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Government progress on cybersecurity in Australia

Earlier this year, the Government’s cyber security advisor, Alastair MacGibbon, described a “prevailing ‘tick box’ compliance culture” for federal government ...
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AUSTRAC’s risk assessment: three areas where you may need to step up your compliance program

The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) has just released a report (12 July) Securities & derivatives sector: money ...
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The Australian Tax Office and the company tax rate for small businesses – what’s all the fuss about?

A key part of the Government’s Budget package last year was a reduction in company tax rates for small businesses ...
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The Crowd-funding Act and changes to the Australian Market Licence regime: The latest ASIC consultation paper

Most businesses that facilitate the trading of assets or financial instruments (‘market venues’) are required to hold an Australian Market ...
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The rules for temporary work visas changed (again) on 1 July: An update

In May, we discussed the Government’s announcement that there would be significant changes to Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457) visas, ...
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Understanding ‘Markets’ in Australian Competition Law: The Recent High Court Decision

On 14 June 2017, the High Court of Australia delivered its decision in Air New Zealand Ltd v ACCC; Pt ...
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Prof Garnaut: Does Finkel Solve the Trilemma?

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter Professor Ross Garnaut recently delivered a lecture to the Faculty of Business and Economics at ...
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AEMC Market Review 2017 and 2016

By Anne Wardell, Compliance Quarter The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has obtained an extension of the timeframe for publication ...
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Government seeks public input on tax arrangements for environmental organisations and other not-for-profits

The Federal Government has recently issued a discussion paper (the paper) titled Tax Deductible Gift Recipient Reform Opportunities. The proposed ...
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Today, we look at the second plank of the reform proposed by the Commission: The proposed scalable risk framework for data sharing and release.

Productivity Commission Part Two: A new framework for data sharing and release

In our earlier article, The Productivity Commission’s proposed comprehensive consumer right to data, we looked at the new consumer right ...
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OTC derivatives trading in Australia – are you playing by the rules?

Yesterday we mentioned AFSL obligations in relation to OTC derivatives trading by electricity retailers who operate under an energy retail ...
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How to become an electricity retailer

It is an interesting time in the energy market. The energy market is currently characterised by structural change and policy ...
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AER releases new billing compliance checks for energy retailers

We recently looked at changes to compliance reporting guidelines issued by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), today we examine three ...
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