CARBON CREDITS (CARBON FARMING INITIATIVE) ACT 2011 (NO. 101, 2011)

Table of Provisions

PART 1--PRELIMINARY

• 1 Short title  
• 2 Commencement  
• 3 Objects  
• 4 Simplified outline  
• 5 Definitions  
• 6 Vacancy in the office of a Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee member  
• 7 Electronic notice transmitted to the Administrator  
• 8 Crown to be bound  
• 9 Extension to external Territories  

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  
• 16 Unit entitlement--sequestration offsets projects other than native forest protection projects  
• 17 Unit entitlement--native forest protection projects  
• 18 Unit entitlement--emissions avoidance offsets project  
• 19 Cancellation of units issued in respect of a project that is subject to the voluntary automatic unit cancellation regime  
• 20 Certificate of entitlement not transferable  

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  
• 28 Declaration may be subject to condition about obtaining regulatory approvals  

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--regulatory approvals obtained  

Division 4--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--regulatory approvals not obtained  
• 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 be a recognised offsets entity  
• 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 6--Additionality test

• 41 Additionality test  

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--Applicable carbon sequestration right

• 43 Applicable carbon sequestration right  

Division 9--Eligible interest in an area of land

• 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 Administrator 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 about consulting common law holders etc.  

Division 11--Freehold land rights land

• 52 Administrator to notify Crown lands Minister of declaration of eligible offsets project  

Division 12--Types of projects

• 53 Emissions avoidance offsets projects  
• 54 Sequestration offsets projects  
• 55 Kyoto offsets projects and non-Kyoto offsets projects etc.  
• 56 Excluded offsets projects  

Division 13--Restructure of eligible offsets projects

• 57 Restructure of eligible offsets projects  
• 58 Restructure of an eligible offsets project that is subject to the voluntary automatic unit cancellation regime  

PART 4--RECOGNISED OFFSETS ENTITIES

• 59 Simplified outline  
• 60 Application for recognition as an offsets entity  
• 61 Form of application  
• 62 Further information  
• 63 Withdrawal of application  
• 64 Recognition as an offsets entity  
• 65 Cancellation of recognition  
• 66 Surrender of recognition  
• 67 Recognition is not transferable  

PART 5--CREDITING PERIODS

Division 1--Introduction

• 68 Simplified outline  

Division 2--First crediting period

• 69 First crediting period  

Division 3--Subsequent crediting period

• 70 Application for subsequent crediting period  
• 71 Form of application  
• 72 Further information  
• 73 Withdrawal of application  
• 74 Determination of subsequent crediting period  

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  

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  
Subdivision B--Recognised offsets entities
• 84 Notification requirement--recognised offsets entities  
Subdivision C--General
• 85 Regulations may impose notification requirements  

PART 7--REQUIREMENTS TO RELINQUISH AUSTRALIAN CARBON CREDIT UNITS

Division 1--Introduction

• 86 Simplified outline  
• 87 Maximum potential relinquishment 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  

Division 4--Transition of offsets projects from prescribed non-CFI offsets schemes

• 92 Request for determination  
• 93 Form of request  
• 94 Further information  
• 95 Determination  

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

• 106 Methodology determinations  
• 107 Baseline  
• 108 Application for endorsement of proposal for methodology determination  
• 109 Form of application  
• 110 Further information  
• 111 Withdrawal of application  
• 112 Endorsement of proposal for methodology determination  
• 113 Advice about endorsement of proposal  
Subdivision B--Variation of methodology determinations
• 114 Variation of methodology determinations  
• 115 When variation takes effect  
• 116 Application for endorsement of proposal for the variation of a methodology determination  
• 117 Form of application  
• 118 Further information  
• 119 Withdrawal of application  
• 120 Endorsement of proposal for variation of methodology determination  
• 121 Advice about endorsement of proposal  
Subdivision C--Duration of methodology determinations
• 122 Duration of methodology determinations  
Subdivision D--Revocation of methodology determinations
• 123 Revocation of methodology determinations  
Subdivision E--Applicable methodology determination
• 124 Applicable methodology determination for a reporting 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 Administrator may approve application of methodology determination to a project with effect from the start of a reporting period  
Subdivision F--Transitional
• 131 Transitional--pre-commencement application for endorsement of proposal  
• 132 Transitional--pre-commencement endorsement of proposal  

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  
• 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 Kyoto Australian carbon credit units  
• 156 Transfer of Australian carbon credit units to another Registry account held by the transferor  
• 157 Exchange of Kyoto Australian carbon credit units for Kyoto units  
• 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 voluntary cancellation of units

• 163 Information about number of voluntarily cancelled Australian 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 5--Register of Offsets Projects

• 167 Register of Offsets Projects  
• 168 Entries in the Register  
• 169 Requests for information about project area not to be set out in the Register  

PART 13--FRAUDULENT CONDUCT

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

PART 14--VOLUNTARY CANCELLATION OF AUSTRALIAN CARBON CREDIT UNITS

• 172 Simplified outline  
• 173 Voluntary cancellation of Australian carbon credit units  

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  
• 177 Transfer of certain units instead of relinquishment of Kyoto Australian carbon credit units  
• 178 Transfer of certain units instead of relinquishment of non-Kyoto Australian carbon credit units  

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 Administrator may obtain information or documents  
• 186 Copying documents--compensation  
• 187 Copies of documents  
• 188 Administrator 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

• 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 Administrator

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

Division 3--Decisions of the Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee

• 245A Review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal  

PART 25--CARBON CREDITS ADMINISTRATOR

• 246 Carbon Credits Administrator  
• 247 Functions of the Administrator  
• 248 Acting Administrator  
• 249 Delegation by the Administrator  
• 250 Administrator to be assisted by APS employees in the Department  
• 251 Other persons assisting the Administrator  
• 252 Consultants  
• 253 Minister may give directions to the Administrator  

PART 26--DOMESTIC OFFSETS INTEGRITY COMMITTEE

Division 1--Establishment and functions of the Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee

• 254 Establishment of the Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee  
• 255 Functions of the Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee  

Division 2--Membership of the Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee

• 256 Membership of the Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee  
• 257 Appointment of Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee members  
• 258 Period for appointment for Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee members  
• 259 Acting Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee members  
• 260 Procedures  
• 261 Disclosure of interests to the Minister  
• 262 Disclosure of interests to Domestic Offsets Integrity 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 Domestic Offsets Integrity 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.  
• 274 Disclosure or use for purposes of development of methodology determinations 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 Administrator information  
• 283 Disclosure for purposes of law enforcement--protected DOIC information  
• 284 Disclosure for purposes of review of Act  
• 285 Disclosure for purposes of review of compliance with Australia's international obligations  

PART 28--MISCELLANEOUS

• 286 Miscellaneous functions of the Administrator  
• 287 Computerised decision-making  
• 288 Administrator's power to require further information  
• 289 Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee's power to require further information  
• 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 Additional effect of this Act and the regulations--introduced animal emissions avoidance projects  
• 304 Prescribing matters by reference to other instruments  
• 305 Administrative decisions under the regulations  
• 306 Reviews of operation of this Act etc.  
• 307 Regulations