Overview

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is consulting on the proposed remaking of the Narcotic Drugs Regulation 2016 and the Narcotic Drugs (Licence Charges) Regulation 2016 (legislative instruments), which are scheduled to sunset on 1 April 2027. The legislative instruments support the framework that governs the cultivation of cannabis and the manufacture of narcotic drugs for medicinal and scientific purposes, as well as related licensing charges administered by the Office of Drug Control (ODC).

Sunsetting

Legislative instruments are automatically repealed after a fixed period, subject to some exceptions. The automatic repeal is called sunsetting, and the Australian Government’s sunsetting provisions are set out in Part 4 of Chapter 3 of the Legislation Act 2003. Sunsetting provides the government opportunities to review legislative instruments to ensure laws and regulations remain efficient and effective.

Focus of this consultation

The purpose of this consultation is to engage with stakeholders to determine if the current regulations are effectively fulfilling their intended purpose before they are remade. Feedback received during this consultation will be considered as part of the sunsetting and remaking process.

Why your views matter

Participation in this consultation provides stakeholders with an opportunity to contribute to the development of regulations that may affect them. Engaging in the consultation process allows stakeholders to:

provide informed feedback on the legislative instruments
identify potential implications for their sector, operations, or community, and
support the creation of balanced and effective regulation through evidence-based input.

Stakeholder contributions are an important component of transparent and inclusive policy development. All submissions will be carefully considered to ensure the legislative instruments are well-informed and appropriately targeted.

Key dates and how to respond