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SINGAPORE-AUSTRALIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (SAFTA)

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ANNEX 4-I(A)


AUSTRALIAíS RESERVATIONS TO CHAPTER 7 (TRADE IN SERVICES) AND CHAPTER 8 (INVESTMENT)



Sector All sectors


Sub-sector -


Industry

Classification

Type of

Reservation

-


Market Access
National Treatment



Source of

Measure

Australiaís foreign investment policy, which comprises the:
Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (FATA);
Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Regulations; and Ministerial
statements.



Description of

Reservation

The following investment activities require prior approval from
the Australian Government:
 Acquisitions by ëforeign interestsí of ësubstantial interestsí

in existing Australian businesses with total assets of $A50

million or more.

 Proposals by ëforeign interestsí to take over offshore companies whose Australian subsidiaries or assets are valued at $A50 million or more, or account for more than

50 per cent of the target company's global assets.
 Proposals by ëforeign interestsí to establish new businesses

in Australia involving a total investment of $A10 million or

more.

 Direct investments by foreign governments or their agencies, irrespective of size.

 Proposals where any doubt exists as to whether they are notifiable. (Funding arrangements that include debt instruments having quasi-equity characteristics will be treated as direct foreign investment).


A ëforeign interestí is defined as:
 a natural person not ordinarily resident in Australia;
 a corporation in which a natural person not ordinarily

resident in Australia or a foreign corporation holds a

controlling interest;

 a corporation in which 2 or more persons, each of whom is either a natural person not ordinarily resident in Australia

or a foreign corporation, hold an aggregate controlling interest;

 the trustee of a trust estate in which a natural person not ordinarily resident in Australia or a foreign corporation holds a substantial interest; or



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 the trustee of a trust estate in which 2 or more persons, each

of whom is either a natural person not ordinarily resident in

Australia or a foreign corporation, hold an aggregate

substantial interest.


A ësubstantial interestí occurs when a single foreigner (and any associates) has 15 per cent or more of the ownership of any corporation, business or trust.


An ëaggregate substantial interestí occurs when several

foreigners (and any associates) have, in aggregate, 40 per cent or more of the ownership of any corporation, business or trust.


A ëcontrolling interestí will be as defined in section 9 of the

FATA.


A ësubstantial interest in a trust estateí will be as defined in section 9A of the FATA.


Proposals may be refused, or approved subject to the parties meeting certain conditions.


Separate or additional requirements may apply to measures subject to other Annex 4-I(A) reservations and to sectors, subsectors or activities subject to Annex 4-II(A) reservations.


4-I(A)-2



Sector All sectors


Sub-sector -


Industry

Classification

Type of

Reservation

-


Market Access
National Treatment



Source of

Measure

Corporations Act 2001;
Corporations Regulations 2001



Description of

Reservation

At least two of the directors of a public company must be
ordinarily resident in Australia.



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Sector Professional Services


Sub-sector Patent attorney services


Industry

classification

Type of reservation

-


National treatment



Source of

Measure

Part 2 of Chapter 20 of the Patents Act 1990
Regulation 22.10 of the Patent Regulations



Description of

Reservation

In order to register to practice in Australia, patent attorneys must:
(a) be ordinarily resident in Australia;
(b) have an address for service in Australia; and
(c) attend a place of business in Australia.


A person is taken to be ordinarily resident in Australia if:
(a) the person has his or her home in Australia; or
(b) Australia is the country of his or her permanent abode even though he or she is temporarily absent from Australia.


However, the person is taken not to be ordinarily resident in Australia if he or she resides in Australia for a special or temporary purpose only.



4-I(A)-4



Sector Professional Services


Sub-sector Migration advice services


Industry -

classification


Type of

Reservation

Market Access
National Treatment



Source of

Measure

Description of

Reservation

Migration Act 1958


To practise as a migration agent in Australia a person must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident or a citizen of New Zealand with a special category visa.



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Sector Professional Services


Sub-sector Accounting, auditing and book-keeping services


Industry

classification

CPC 862



Type of

Reservation

Market Access
National Treatment



Source of -

Measure


Description of

Reservation

Only natural persons may be registered as auditors and
liquidators.


At least one equity partner in a firm providing accounting, auditing and book-keeping services must be a permanent resident.



4-I(A)-6



Sector Fishing


Sub-sector


Industry classification


Type of Reservation National Treatment


Source of Measure Fisheries Management Act 1991

Foreign Fishing Licenses Levy Act 1991


Description of

Reservation:

Foreign fishing vessels1 seeking to undertake fishing
activity in the Australian Fishing Zone must be authorised.


Where foreign fishing vessels are authorised to undertake such fishing activity, they may be subject to a levy2.



1 For the purposes of fisheries management, a foreign vessel is one that does not meet the definition of

an Australian boat, that is, a boat based in Australia which is owned by an Australian resident or corporation.

2 The levy charged will be in accordance with the Foreign Fishing Licenses Levy Act 1991 or any amendments thereto.


4-I(A)-7



Sector Professional Services


Sub-sector Customs clearance (services supplied by customs brokers3)


Industry -

classification


Type of

Reservation

National Treatment



Source of

Measure

Customs Act 1901



Description of

Reservation

To act as a customs broker in Australia, service providers must
provide the service in and from Australia.



3 Customs brokers may complete customs formalities required by the relevant customs legislation on

behalf of the owners of goods prior to their import into or export from Australia. Such formalities include the requirement to complete the import or export entries whereby owners notify the goods being exported or imported, the duty and other taxes payable and whether or not the appropriate permits have been obtained.


4-I(A)-8



Sector Professional Services


Sub-sector Medical services


Industry classification 9312


Type of Reservation National Treatment


Source of Measure Health Insurance Act 1973


Description of

Reservation

Doctors who have obtained their training outside Australia
and registered as medical practitioners in Australia since
December 1996 may only bill Medicare for patient consultations in private medical practices if they work in a
ìdistrict of workforce shortageî.



4-I(A)-9



Sector Communication services


Sub-sector Postal Services


Industry

classification

Type of

Reservation

7511


Market Access
National Treatment



Source of

Measure

Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989



Description of

Reservation

Australia Post, a wholly-owned government entity, has the
exclusive right to issue postage stamps and carry letters within
Australia, whether the letters originated within or outside
Australia. This includes:
- the collection within Australia of letters for delivery within

Australia; and
- the delivery of letters within Australia.


This reservation does not include:
- the carriage of a letter weighing more than 250 grams;
- the carriage of a letter within Australia for a charge or fee that

is at least 4 times the rate of postage that is current at the time

for the carriage within Australia of a standard postal article by ordinary post;4 and
- other exceptions to the reserved services set out in Section 30

of the Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989.



4 As specified in accordance with the Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989 and its subordinate legislation and regulations or any amendments thereto.


4-I(A)-10



Sector Telecommunications


Sub-sector


Industry

classification


Type of

Reservation

Market Access
National Treatment



Source of

Measure

Telstra Corporation Act 1991



Description of

Reservation

Aggregate foreign equity is restricted to no more than 35 per cent
of the 49.9 per cent of shares of Telstra that are non-government owned (about 17.5 per cent of total equity). Individual or associated group foreign investment is restricted to no more than
5 per cent of these non-government shares (about 2.5 per cent of
total equity).


The Chairperson and a majority of directors of Telstra must be Australian citizens and Telstra is required to maintain its head office, main base of operations and place of incorporation in Australia.



4-I(A)-11



Sector Wholesale trade and retailing services


Sub-sector Supply of therapeutic goods (medical devices, medicines, blood

products) and also chemicals subject to the National Industrial

Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme.


Industry

classification


Type of

Reservation

Market Access
National Treatment



Source of

Measure


Description of

Reservation

Therapeutic Goods Act 1989
Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989


A person5 who imports, exports, manufactures or supplies a therapeutic good6 in Australia must have that product included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), unless the product is an exempt good. The person who includes a product
in the ARTG must be a resident of Australia, or carrying on business in Australia.


A person who imports or manufactures industrial chemicals7 in Australia must hold the relevant permit. The person who holds a permit must be a resident of Australia, or carrying on business in Australia.



5 Under the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 "person" includes a body politic or corporate as well as an individual.

6 As defined in the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and any future amendments thereto.

7 As defined in the NICNAS scheme under the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989 and any future amendments thereto.


4-I(A)-12



Sector Financial services


Sub-sector Life insurance services


Industry

Classification


Type of reservation

8121


Market Access

National Treatment



Source of Measure Life Insurance Act 1995.


Description of

Reservation

Approval of non-resident life insurers is restricted to subsidiaries
incorporated under Australian law.



4-I(A)-13



Sector Financial services


Sub-sector Life insurance services


Industry

Classification

8121



Type of reservation

Market Access

National Treatment



Source of Measure Corporations Act 2001


Description of

Reservation

Registered foreign life insurance companies are required to have a
local agent resident in Australia.



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Sector Financial services


Sub-sector Non-life insurance services


Industry classification 8129


Type of Reservation Market Access

National Treatment


Source of Measure Insurance Act 1973


Description of

Reservation

An authorised insurance company operating in Australia as
a non-incorporated entity must appoint an Australian resident as agent of the insurer.



4-I(A)-15



Sector Financial services


Sub-sector Non-life insurance services


Industry

classification

8129



Type of reservation

Market Access

National Treatment



Source of Measure Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988


Description of

Reservation

Comcare, a Commonwealth Government agency, is the monopoly
provider of workersí compensation insurance for Commonwealth
Government employees.



4-I(A)-16



Sector Financial services


Sub-sector Deposit taking services


Industry

Classification


Type of reservation

811


National treatment


Market Access


Source of Measure Banking Act 1959

Banking Amendment Regulations 2000 (No. 1)

Payment Systems (Regulation) Act 1998


Description of

Reservation

To undertake banking business in Australia an entity must be a
body corporate and authorised by the Australian Prudential
Regulation Authority (APRA) as an authorised deposit-taking institution (ADI).


Foreign deposit-taking institutions (including foreign banks) may only operate a banking business in Australia through locally- incorporated deposit-taking subsidiaries or authorised branches
(foreign ADIs), or through both structures.


Foreign ADIs are subject to a condition which specifically restricts the acceptance of retail deposits. Foreign ADIs are not permitted to accept initial deposits (and other funds) from
individuals and non-corporate institutions of less than $A250,000.
They can, however, accept deposits and other funds in any amount from incorporated entities, non-residents and their employees.


A foreign deposit-taking institution that operates a representative office in Australia is not permitted to undertake any banking business, including advertising for deposits, in Australia. Such a representative office is only permitted to act as a liaison point.


Foreign banks located overseas may only raise funds in Australia through the issue of debt securities provided those securities are offered/traded in parcels of not less than $A500,000 and the securities and any associated information memoranda clearly state
the issuing bank is not authorised under the Banking Act 1959 in
Australia.



4-I(A)-17



Sector Financial services


Sub-sector Banking


Industry

Classification


Type of reservation

-


National treatment



Source of Measure Commonwealth Banks Act 1959.


Description of

Reservation

Liabilities of the Commonwealth Bank, previously
Commonwealth Government-owned, are covered by transitional guarantee arrangements. Under the Commonwealth Banks Act
1959, liabilities of the Commonwealth Bank are guaranteed by the Commonwealth.



4-I(A)-18



Sector Financial services.


Sub-sector Banking


Industry

Classification


Type of reservation

-


National Treatment


Source of Measure AIDC Sale Act 1997.

Australian Industry Development Corporation Act 1970


Description of

Reservation

Liabilities of the Australian Industry Development Corporation
(AIDC), previously Commonwealth Government-owned, are
covered by transitional guarantee arrangements. Under the AIDC Sale Act 1997, liabilities of the former AIDC are guaranteed by
the Commonwealth.



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Sector Financial services


Sub sector Financial markets


Industry

classification


Type of reservation


Market access



Source of Measure Corporations Act 2001.


Description of

Reservation

To obtain an Australian market licence, an applicant must be a
body corporate.



4-I(A)-20



Sector Financial services


Sub-sector Superannuation


Industry

classification


Type of reservation


Market Access

National Treatment



Source of Measure Superannuation Act 1922

Papua New Guinea (Staffing Assistance) Act 1973

Superannuation Act 1976


Superannuation Act 1990


Establishing legislation of relevant schemes including the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS) and the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme (PSS).


Description of

Reservation

The Government has a monopoly on administration of
Commonwealth civilian sector superannuation schemes and the
Commissioner for Superannuation (the CEO of ComSuper ñ a
Commonwealth Government agency) has a monopoly on administration services for certain Commonwealth sector superannuation schemes.



4-I(A)-21



Sector Financial services


Sub-sector Managed investments


Industry

classification


Type of reservation


Market access



Source of Measure Corporations Act 2001.



Description of

Reservation

The responsible entity of a registered managed investment scheme must be a public company that holds an Australian financial services licence authorising it to operate a managed investment scheme



4-I(A)-22



Sector Health Services


Sub-sector


Industry

classification

Type of

Reservation


National Treatment



Source of

Measure

Commonwealth Serum Laboratories Act 1961, Part 3



Description of

Reservation

The votes attached to significant foreign shareholdings are
prevented from being counted in respect to the appointment,
replacement or removal of more than one third of CSLís directors who hold office at a particular time. The head office and
principal facilities must remain in Australia. Two-thirds of the directors of the board of CSL and the chairperson of any meeting
must be Australian citizens. CSL must not seek incorporation outside of Australia.



4-I(A)-23



Sector Transport


Sub-sector Maritime transport


Industry -

classification


Type of

Reservation

National Treatment
Market Access



Source of

Measure

Shipping Registration Act 1981



Description of

Reservation

For a ship to be registered in Australia it must be majority
Australian owned unless the ship is designated as chartered by an Australian operator. Every Australian-owned ship (as defined in the Act) is required to be registered under the Act.



4-I(A)-24



Sector Transport services


Sub-sector Maritime transport


Industry

classification

Type of

Reservation

7211, 7212


Market Access
National Treatment



Source of

Measure

Trade Practices Act 1974



Description of

Reservation

Every ocean carrier that provides international liner cargo
shipping services to or from Australia shall, at all times, be
represented for the purposes of the Act, by a person who is an individual resident in Australia; has been appointed by the ocean carrier as the ocean carrier's agent for the purposes of the Act;
and is specified in the register of ocean carrier agents as the
ocean carrier's agent.


Part X of the Trade Practices Act 1974 also allows Australian flag operators to apply to the Australian Competition and
Consumer Commission to examine whether conference members and non-conference operators with substantial market power are
hindering Australian flag shipping operators from engaging efficiently in the provision of outward liner cargo services to an
extent which is reasonable.



4-I(A)-25



Sector Transport


Sub-sector Air Transport


Industry

classification


Type of

Reservation

Market Access
National Treatment



Source of

Measure

Air Services Act 1995
Air Services Regulations
Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 (CAC Act)



Description of

Reservation

Airservices Australia, a government owned commercial
enterprise, is the monopoly provider of the following services:
airspace management, air traffic flow information, air traffic control, traffic and flight information, navigation services, aeronautical information, and aerodrome rescue and fire fighting services.



4-I(A)-26



Sector Transport


Sub-sector Air Transport


Industry -

classification


Type of

Reservation

National Treatment
Market Access



Source of

Measure

Air Navigation Act 1920
Ministerial Statement



Description of

Reservation

Total foreign ownership of Australian international airlines (other
than Qantas) is restricted to a maximum of 49 per cent.


Furthermore, it is required that:

citizens;


4-I(A)-27



Sector Transport


Sub-sector Air Transport


Industry

classification


Type of

Reservation

Market Access
National Treatment



Source of

Measure

Qantas Sale Act 1992



Description of

Reservation

Total foreign ownership of Qantas Airways Ltd is restricted to a
maximum of 49 per cent in aggregate, with individual holdings limited to 25 per cent and aggregate holdings by foreign airlines
to 35 per cent. In addition:


in Australia;

be Australian citizens;

presiding at the meeting (however described) must be an

Australian citizen; and


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