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CARBON CREDITS (CARBON FARMING INITIATIVE) ACT 2011


TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

   PART 1--PRELIMINARY

   1.      Short title  
   2.      Commencement  
   3.      Objects  
   4.      Simplified outline  
   5.      Definitions  
   6.      Vacancy in the office of an Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee member  
   7.      Electronic notice transmitted to the Regulator  
   7A.     Extended accounting period  
   8.      Crown to be bound  
   9.      Extension to external Territories  
   9A.     Extension to exclusive economic zone and continental shelf  
   9B.     Application to foreign ships  

   PART 2--ISSUE--OF AUSTRALIAN CARBON CREDIT UNITS IN RESPECT OF OFFSETS PROJECTS

           Division 1--Introduction

   10.     Simplified outline  

           Division 2--Issue of Australian carbon credit units in respect of offsets projects

   11.     Issue of Australian carbon credit units in respect of offsets projects  

           Division 3--Certificate of entitlement

   12.     Application for certificate of entitlement  
   13.     Form of application  
   14.     Further information  
   15.     Issue of certificate of entitlement  
   15A.    No double counting test  
   16.     Unit entitlement--sequestration offsets projects  
   18.     Unit entitlement--emissions avoidance offsets project  
   20.     Certificate of entitlement not transferable  

   PART 2A--PURCHASE--OF ELIGIBLE CARBON CREDIT UNITS BY THE COMMONWEALTH

           Division 1--Introduction

   20A.    Simplified outline of this Part  

           Division 2--Carbon abatement contracts

   20B.    Carbon abatement contracts  
   20C.    When carbon abatement contracts may be entered into  
   20CA.   Duration of carbon abatement contracts  
   20D.    Regulator has powers etc. of the Commonwealth  
   20E.    Conferral of powers on the Regulator  

           Division 3--Carbon abatement purchasing processes

   20F.    Carbon abatement purchasing process  
   20G.    Conduct of carbon abatement purchasing processes  

           Division 4--Miscellaneous

   20H.    Legislative rules may provide for certain matters relating to purchased eligible carbon credit units etc.  
   20J.    Certain instruments relating to Commonwealth procurement are not applicable  
   20K.    Carbon abatement contracts are not instruments made under this Act  

   PART 3--ELIGIBLE--OFFSETS PROJECTS

           Division 1--Introduction

   21.     Simplified outline  

           Division 2--Declaration of eligible offsets project

   22.     Application for declaration of eligible offsets project  
   23.     Form of application  
   24.     Further information  
   25.     Withdrawal of application  
   26.     Application may be split  
   27.     Declaration of eligible offsets project  
   27A.    Suspension of processing of applications for declarations of eligible offsets projects  
   28.     Declaration may be subject to condition about obtaining regulatory approvals  
   28A.    Declaration may be subject to condition about obtaining consents from eligible interest holders  

           Division 3--Variation of declaration of eligible offsets project

   29.     Voluntary variation of declaration of eligible offsets project in relation to the project area or project areas  
   30.     Voluntary variation of declaration of eligible offsets project in relation to the project proponent  
   31.     Voluntary variation of conditional declaration of eligible offsets project--condition of declaration has been met  
   31A.    No variation of declaration of eligible offsets project as a 100 - year or 25 - year permanence period project  

           Division 4--Revocation of declaration of eligible offsets project

              Subdivision A--Voluntary revocation of declaration of eligible offsets project

   32.     Voluntary revocation of declaration of eligible offsets project--units issued  
   33.     Voluntary revocation of declaration of eligible offsets project--no units issued  

              Subdivision B--Unilateral revocation of declaration of eligible offsets project

   34.     Unilateral revocation of declaration of eligible offsets project--condition of declaration has not been met  
   35.     Unilateral revocation of declaration of eligible offsets project--eligibility requirements not met etc.  
   36.     Unilateral revocation of declaration of eligible offsets project--project proponent ceases to pass the fit and proper person test  
   37.     Unilateral revocation of declaration of eligible offsets project--person responsible for carrying out project ceases to be the project proponent  
   38.     Unilateral revocation of declaration of eligible offsets project--false or misleading information  

           Division 5--Entries in title registers

   39.     Entries in title registers--general  
   40.     Entries in title registers--land subject to carbon maintenance obligation  

           Division 7--Net total number of Australian carbon credit units issued in relation to an eligible offsets project

   42.     Net total number of Australian carbon credit units issued in relation to an eligible offsets project  

           Division 8--Eligible interest in an area of land

   43.     Eligible interest in an area of land--applicable carbon sequestration right  
   44.     Eligible interest in an area of land--Torrens system land  
   45.     Eligible interest in an area of land--Crown land that is not Torrens system land  
   45A.    Eligible interest in an area of land--native title land  

           Division 10--Native title land

   46.     Registered native title bodies corporate--deemed project proponent  
   47.     Regulator to notify Crown lands Minister of declaration of eligible offsets project  
   48.     Designation of special native title account  
   49.     Issue of Australian carbon credit units to special native title account  
   50.     Units held in special native title account  
   51.     Regulations or legislative rules about consulting common law holders etc.  

           Division 11--Freehold land rights land

   52.     Regulator to notify Crown lands Minister of declaration of eligible offsets project  

           Division 12--Types of projects

   53.     Emissions avoidance offsets projects  
   53A.    Area - based emissions avoidance projects  
   54.     Sequestration offsets projects  
   56.     Excluded offsets projects  

           Division 13--Restructure of eligible offsets projects

   57.     Restructure of eligible offsets projects  

   PART 4--FIT--AND PROPER PERSON TEST

   59.     Simplified outline of this Part  
   60.     Fit and proper person test  

   PART 5--CREDITING--PERIOD

   68.     Simplified outline of this Part  
   69.     Crediting period--basic rule  
   70.      Crediting period--general transitional rule  
   71.      Crediting period--transitional rule for avoided deforestation projects  

   PART 6--REPORTING--AND NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

           Division 1--Introduction

   75.     Simplified outline  

           Division 2--Reporting requirements

   76.     Offsets reports  
   77.     Declaration that offsets report requirement does not apply  
   77A.    Offsets report may be about a part of a project etc.  

           Division 3--Notification requirements

   78.     Notification requirement--ceasing to be the project proponent for an eligible offsets project otherwise than because of death  
   79.     Notification requirement--death of the project proponent for an eligible offsets project  
   80.     Notification requirement--methodology determinations  
   81.     Notification requirement--natural disturbances  
   82.     Notification requirement--reversal of sequestration due to conduct of another person  
   83.     Notification requirement--project becomes inconsistent with a regional natural resource management plan  
   84.     Notification requirement--event relevant to whether a project proponent is a fit and proper person  
   85.     Regulations or legislative rules may impose notification requirements  

   PART 7--REQUIREMENTS--TO RELINQUISH AUSTRALIAN CARBON CREDIT UNITS

           Division 1--Introduction

   86.     Simplified outline  
   86A.    Permanence period  
   87.     100 - year permanence period  

           Division 2--General relinquishment requirements

   88.     Requirement to relinquish--false or misleading information  

           Division 3--Relinquishment requirements for sequestration offsets projects

   89.     Requirement to relinquish--revocation of declaration of eligible offsets project  
   90.     Requirement to relinquish--reversal of sequestration other than due to natural disturbance or conduct etc.  
   91.     Requirement to relinquish--reversal of sequestration due to natural disturbance or conduct and no mitigation happens  

   PART 8--CARBON--MAINTENANCE OBLIGATION

           Division 1--Introduction

   96.     Simplified outline  

           Division 2--Carbon maintenance obligation

   97.     Carbon maintenance obligation  
   98.     Variation or revocation of declaration of carbon maintenance obligation  
   99.     Revocation of declaration of carbon maintenance obligation--voluntary relinquishment of Australian carbon credit units  

           Division 3--Injunctions

   100.    Injunctions  
   101.    Interim injunctions  
   102.    Discharge etc. of injunctions  
   103.    Certain limits on granting injunctions not to apply  
   104.    Other powers of the Federal Court unaffected  

   PART 9--METHODOLOGY--DETERMINATIONS

           Division 1--Introduction

   105.    Simplified outline  

           Division 2--Methodology determinations

              Subdivision A--Making of methodology determinations

   106.    Methodology determinations  

              Subdivision B--Variation of methodology determinations

   114.    Variation of methodology determinations  
   115.    When variation takes effect  

              Subdivision C--Duration of methodology determinations

   122.    Duration of methodology determinations  

              Subdivision D--Revocation of methodology determinations

   123.    Revocation of methodology determinations  

              Subdivision DA--Advice about making, varying or revoking methodology determinations

   123A.   Advice by the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee  
   123B.   Additional matters for the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee to take into account  
   123C.   Advice about whether methodology determination deals with eligible carbon abatement  

              Subdivision DB--Consultation by the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee

   123D.   Consultation by the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee  

              Subdivision E--Applicable methodology determination

   124.    Applicable methodology determination for a reporting period  
   124A.   Modified meaning of crediting period for an emissions avoidance offsets project that has an extended accounting period  
   125.    Original methodology determination continues to apply after expiry  
   126.    Original methodology determination continues to apply after variation  
   127.    Original methodology determination continues to apply after revocation  
   128.    Request to approve application of methodology determination to a project with effect from the start of a reporting period  
   129.    Further information  
   130.    Regulator may approve application of methodology determination to a project with effect from the start of a reporting period  

           Division 3--Offsets integrity standards

   133.    Offsets integrity standards  

   PART 10--MULTIPLE--PROJECT PROPONENTS

           Division 1--Introduction

   134.    Simplified outline  

           Division 2--References to project proponents

   135.    References to project proponents  

           Division 3--Nominee of multiple project proponents

   136.    Nomination of nominee by multiple project proponents  
   137.    Service of documents on nominee  
   138.    Eligible voluntary action taken by nominee  
   139.    Unilateral revocation of declaration of eligible offsets project--failure of multiple project proponents to nominate a nominee  
   140.    Designation of nominee account  
   141.    Issue of Australian carbon credit units to nominee account  
   142.    Units held in nominee account  
   143.    Instructions in relation to nominee account  
   144.    Updating nominee account details on change of nominee  

           Division 4--Obligations of multiple project proponents

   145.    Obligations of multiple project proponents  

   PART 11--AUSTRALIAN--CARBON CREDIT UNITS

           Division 1--Introduction

   146.    Simplified outline  

           Division 2--Issue of Australian carbon credit units

   147.    Issue of Australian carbon credit units  
   148.    How Australian carbon credit units are to be issued  
   149.    Circumstances in which Australian carbon credit units may be issued  

           Division 3--Property in, and transfer of, Australian carbon credit units

   150.    An Australian carbon credit unit is personal property  
   150A.   Ownership of Australian carbon credit unit  
   151.    Transfer of Australian carbon credit units  
   152.    Transmission of Australian carbon credit units by assignment  
   153.    Transmission of Australian carbon credit units by operation of law etc.  
   154.    Outgoing international transfers of Australian carbon credit units  
   155.    Restrictions on outgoing international transfers of Australian carbon credit units  
   156.    Transfer of Australian carbon credit units to another Registry account held by the transferor  
   157A.   Registration of equitable interests in relation to an Australian carbon credit unit  
   158.    Equitable interests in relation to an Australian carbon credit unit  

   PART 12--PUBLICATION--OF INFORMATION

           Division 1--Introduction

   159.    Simplified outline  

           Division 2--Information about units

   160.    Information about issue of Australian carbon credit units  
   161.    Quarterly reports about issue of Australian carbon credit units  
   162.    Publication of concise description of the characteristics of Australian carbon credit units  

           Division 3--Information about units purchased by the Commonwealth

   163.    Information about carbon abatement purchasing processes  
   163A.   Annual reports about purchases of eligible carbon credit units  

           Division 4--Information about relinquishment requirements

   164.    Information about relinquishment requirements  
   165.    Information about unpaid administrative penalties  
   166.    Information about number of relinquished units  

           Division 4A--Information about Australia's international obligations

   166A.   Information about Australia's international obligations  

           Division 5--Emissions Reduction Fund Register

   167.    Emissions Reduction Fund Register  
   168.    Entries in the Register  

   PART 13--FRAUDULENT--CONDUCT

   170.    Simplified outline  
   171.    Units issued as a result of fraudulent conduct--court may order relinquishment  

   PART 15--RELINQUISHMENT--OF AUSTRALIAN CARBON CREDIT UNITS

           Division 1--Introduction

   174.    Simplified outline  

           Division 2--How Australian carbon credit units are relinquished

   175.    How Australian carbon credit units are relinquished  
   176.    Deemed relinquishment  

           Division 3--Compliance with relinquishment requirements

   179.    Compliance with relinquishment requirements  
   180.    Late payment penalty  
   181.    Recovery of penalties  
   182.    Set - off  
   183.    Refund of overpayments  

   PART 16--INFORMATION---GATHERING POWERS

   184.    Simplified outline  
   185.    Regulator may obtain information or documents  
   186.    Copying documents--compensation  
   187.    Copies of documents  
   188.    Regulator may retain documents  
   189.    Self - incrimination  

   PART 17--RECORD---KEEPING AND PROJECT MONITORING REQUIREMENTS

           Division 1--Introduction

   190.    Simplified outline  

           Division 2--Record-keeping requirements

   191.    Record - keeping requirements--general  
   192.    Record - keeping requirements--preparation of offsets report  
   193.    Record - keeping requirements--methodology determinations  

           Division 3--Project monitoring requirements

   194.    Project monitoring requirements--methodology determinations  

   PART 18--MONITORING--POWERS

           Division 1--Simplified outline

   195.    Simplified outline  

           Division 2--Appointment of inspectors and issue of identity cards

   196.    Appointment of inspectors  
   197.    Identity cards  

           Division 3--Powers of inspectors

              Subdivision A--Monitoring powers

   198.    Inspector may enter premises by consent or under a warrant  
   199.    Monitoring powers of inspectors  
   200.    Persons assisting inspectors  

              Subdivision B--Powers of inspectors to ask questions and seek production of documents

   201.    Inspector may ask questions and seek production of documents  
   202.    Self - incrimination  

           Division 4--Obligations and incidental powers of inspectors

   203.    Consent  
   204.    Announcement before entry under warrant  
   205.    Inspector to be in possession of warrant  
   206.    Details of warrant etc. to be given to occupier  
   207.    Expert assistance to operate electronic equipment  
   208.    Compensation for damage to electronic equipment  

           Division 5--Occupier's rights and responsibilities

   209.    Occupier entitled to observe execution of warrant  
   210.    Occupier to provide inspector with facilities and assistance  

           Division 6--Monitoring warrants

   211.    Monitoring warrants  

           Division 7--Powers of magistrates

   212.    Powers of magistrates  

   PART 19--AUDITS

           Division 1--Introduction

   213.    Simplified outline  

           Division 2--Audits

   214.    Compliance audits  
   215.    Other audits  

   PART 20--LIABILITY--OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF BODIES CORPORATE

   216.    Simplified outline  
   217.    Civil penalties for executive officers of bodies corporate  
   218.    Reasonable steps to prevent contravention  

   PART 21--CIVIL--PENALTY ORDERS

   219.    Simplified outline  
   220.    References to Court  
   221.    Civil penalty orders  
   222.    Who may apply for a civil penalty order  
   223.    Two or more proceedings may be heard together  
   224.    Time limit for application for an order  
   225.    Civil evidence and procedure rules for civil penalty orders  
   226.    Civil proceedings after criminal proceedings  
   227.    Criminal proceedings during civil proceedings  
   228.    Criminal proceedings after civil proceedings  
   229.    Evidence given in proceedings for a civil penalty order not admissible in criminal proceedings  
   230.    Mistake of fact  
   231.    State of mind  
   232.    Continuing contraventions  

   PART 22--OFFENCES--RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES

   233.    Simplified outline  
   234.    Scheme to avoid existing liability to pay administrative penalty  
   235.    Scheme to avoid future liability to pay administrative penalty  

   PART 23--ENFORCEABLE--UNDERTAKINGS

   236.    Simplified outline  
   237.    Acceptance of undertakings  
   238.    Enforcement of undertakings  

   PART 24--REVIEW--OF DECISIONS

           Division 1--Introduction

   239.    Simplified outline  

           Division 2--Decisions of the Regulator

   240.    Reviewable decisions  
   241.    Applications for reconsideration of decisions made by delegates of the Regulator  
   242.    Reconsideration by the Regulator  
   243.    Deadline for reconsideration  
   244.    Review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal  
   245.    Stay of proceedings for the recovery of an administrative penalty  

   PART 26--EMISSIONS--REDUCTION ASSURANCE COMMITTEE

           Division 1--Establishment and functions of the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee

   254.    Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee  
   255.    Functions of the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee  
   255AA.  Request for review of methodology determinations  
   255A.   Crediting period extension reviews  

           Division 2--Membership of the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee

   256.    Membership of the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee  
   257.    Appointment of Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee members  
   258.    Period for appointment for Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee members  
   259.    Acting Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee members  
   260.    Procedures  
   261.    Disclosure of interests to the Minister  
   262.    Disclosure of interests to Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee  
   263.    Outside employment  
   264.    Remuneration and allowances  
   265.    Leave of absence  
   266.    Resignation  
   267.    Termination of appointment  
   268.    Other terms and conditions  
   269.    Assistance to Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee  

   PART 27--SECRECY

   270.    Secrecy  
   271.    Disclosure or use for the purposes of this Act or a legislative instrument under this Act  
   272.    Disclosure to the Minister  
   273.    Disclosure to the Secretary etc.  
   275.    Disclosure to a Royal Commission  
   276.    Disclosure to certain persons and bodies  
   277.    Disclosure to certain financial bodies  
   278.    Disclosure with consent  
   279.    Disclosure to reduce threat to life or health  
   280.    Disclosure of publicly available information  
   281.    Disclosure of summaries or statistics  
   282.    Disclosure for purposes of law enforcement--protected audit information  
   283.    Disclosure for purposes of law enforcement--protected ERAC information  
   284.    Disclosure for purposes of review of Act  

   PART 28--MISCELLANEOUS

   286.    Miscellaneous functions of the Regulator  
   287.    Computerised decision - making  
   288.    Regulator's power to require further information  
   289.    Information previously given to the Regulator  
   290.    Actions may be taken by an agent of a project proponent  
   291.    Delegation by the Minister  
   292.    Delegation by a State Minister or a Territory Minister  
   293.    Delegation by the Secretary  
   294.    Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws  
   295.    Law relating to legal professional privilege not affected  
   296.    Arrangements with States and Territories  
   297.    Liability for damages  
   298.    Executive power of the Commonwealth  
   299.    Notional payments by the Commonwealth  
   300.    Compensation for acquisition of property  
   301.    Native title rights not affected  
   302.    Racial Discrimination Act not affected  
   303.    Alternative constitutional basis  
   304.    Prescribing matters by reference to other instruments  
   305.    Administrative decisions under the regulations  
   305A.   Administrative decisions under the legislative rules  
   306.    Periodic reviews of operation of this Act etc.  
   307.    Regulations  
   308.     Legislative rules  


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