EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Migration Regulations 1994
DESIGNATED APEC ECONOMIES
(Regulation 1.03)
- This Instrument is made under regulation 1.03 of the Migration Regulations 1994 (‘the Regulations’), definition of “designated APEC economy”.
2. Regulation 1.03 of the Regulations defines the term “designated APEC economy” to mean an APEC economy specified by Gazette Notice for the purposes of that definition.
3. The purpose of the Instrument is to allow nationals of countries specified in the Instrument to be taken to have applied for the Temporary Business Entry subclass 456 (Class UC) visa under regulation 2.07AA of the Regulations, as applicants to the APEC Business Travel Card (‘ABTC’) scheme. The ABTC scheme provides accredited business people streamlined entry to participating economies.
4. The Instrument replaces an existing Instrument in order to expand the definition of “designated APEC economy” to include the Russian Federation as a member of the ABTC scheme. This ensures Australia can honour its pre-clearance obligations as Russia becomes a full member of the ABTC scheme.
5. Before the instrument was made both the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the
Attorney-General’s Department were consulted.
6. Under section 44 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 the Instrument is exempt from disallowance and therefore a Human Rights Statement of Compatibility is not required.
7. The Office of Best Practice Regulation has advised that a Regulation Impact Statement is not required (OBPR Reference 13975).
8. This Instrument, IMMI 12/078, commences on 1 September 2012.