Sunsetting of aviation legislation
The Australian Government is in the process of remaking a number of legislative instruments due to sunset on or before 1 April 2026.
Sunsetting is the automatic repeal of a legislative instrument after a fixed period, usually 10 years. The aim is to ensure instruments remain fit for purpose and only in force for as long as required.
Remade regulations
The Airports Regulations 2024 and Airports (Ownership) Regulations 2024 commenced on 1 April 2024. These replaced the Airports Regulations 1997 and the Airports (Ownership—Interests in Shares) Regulations 1996.
In the process of remaking these regulations, the department undertook public consultation on policy matters in early 2022 and an exposure draft of the regulations in mid-2023.
Regulations in the process of being remade
The government is progressing the remaking of a number of other legislative instruments due to sunset on 1 April 2026, including the:
- Airports (Building Control) Regulations 1996
- Airports (Control of On-Airport Activities) Regulations 1997
- Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 1997
- Airports (Protection of Airspace) Regulations 1996
The department undertook public consultation on policy matters in the Airports (Control-of On-Airport Activities) Regulations 1997 in October 2022.
External consultations on the Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 1997 occurred with airport-lessee companies in November 2022, February 2023, and from November 2023 to February 2024.
The department expects to undertake further consultation with relevant stakeholders on these legislative instruments before they are finalised for government consideration.