Contents
Part 1—Preliminary 1
1............ Short title............................................................................................. 1
2............ Commencement................................................................................... 1
3............ Object.................................................................................................. 1
4............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 1
5............ Extension to external Territories.......................................................... 4
6............ Extra‑territorial application.................................................................. 4
Part 2—Australian Renewable Energy Agency 5
7............ Establishment...................................................................................... 5
8............ ARENA’s functions........................................................................... 5
9............ General rules about performance of functions..................................... 6
10.......... Provision of financial assistance to be in accordance with general funding strategy 7
11.......... Minister may request ARENA to consider funding for specified projects 7
12.......... Ministerial approval where grants exceed $50 million........................ 7
13.......... Minister may direct ARENA to provide advice.................................. 7
14.......... Constitutional limits............................................................................ 7
15.......... ARENA’s powers.............................................................................. 9
16.......... ARENA does not have privileges and immunities of the Crown........ 9
Part 3—Board of ARENA 10
Division 1—Establishment and functions 10
17.......... Establishment.................................................................................... 10
18.......... Functions of the Board...................................................................... 10
Division 2—General funding strategy, guidelines and work plans 11
Subdivision A—General funding strategy 11
19.......... General funding strategy................................................................... 11
20.......... Approval of general funding strategy................................................ 11
21.......... When a general funding strategy for a year is in force...................... 12
22.......... Variation of general funding strategy................................................ 12
23.......... General funding strategy to be published on ARENA’s website...... 13
Subdivision B—Guidelines 13
24.......... Guidelines......................................................................................... 13
25.......... Approval of guidelines for financial assistance in excess of $15 million 13
26.......... Guidelines to be published on ARENA’s website............................ 14
Subdivision C—Work plans 14
27.......... Work plan......................................................................................... 14
28.......... Work plan to be taken into account................................................... 15
Division 3—Board Members 16
29.......... Membership...................................................................................... 16
30.......... Appointment of Board members....................................................... 16
31.......... Chair................................................................................................. 16
32.......... Term of appointment......................................................................... 16
33.......... Acting appointments......................................................................... 17
34.......... Remuneration.................................................................................... 18
35.......... Leave of absence............................................................................... 18
36.......... Disclosure of interests to the Minister............................................... 18
37.......... Resignation of appointed members................................................... 19
38.......... Termination of appointment of appointed members.......................... 19
39.......... Other terms and conditions of appointed members........................... 20
Division 4—Meetings of the Board 21
40.......... Convening meetings.......................................................................... 21
41.......... Secretary may nominate alternate to attend Board meetings.............. 21
42.......... Presiding at meetings........................................................................ 21
43.......... Quorum............................................................................................. 22
44.......... Voting at meetings............................................................................ 22
45.......... Conduct of meetings......................................................................... 22
46.......... Minutes............................................................................................. 22
47.......... Decisions without meetings.............................................................. 22
Division 5—Committees 24
48.......... Committees....................................................................................... 24
49.......... Remuneration and allowances........................................................... 24
Part 4—Chief Executive Officer, staff and consultants 25
Division 1—Chief Executive Officer of ARENA 25
50.......... Establishment.................................................................................... 25
51.......... Role................................................................................................... 25
52.......... Appointment..................................................................................... 25
53.......... Acting appointments......................................................................... 26
54.......... Outside employment......................................................................... 26
55.......... Remuneration.................................................................................... 26
56.......... Leave................................................................................................. 27
57.......... Disclosure of interests to the Minister............................................... 27
58.......... Resignation....................................................................................... 27
59.......... Termination of appointment.............................................................. 27
60.......... Other terms and conditions............................................................... 28
Division 2—Staff and consultants 29
61.......... Chief Financial Officer...................................................................... 29
62.......... Other staff......................................................................................... 29
63.......... Consultants....................................................................................... 29
Part 5—Finance 30
64.......... Amounts available for payment to ARENA...................................... 30
65.......... Payment of up to balance of specified amounts on request by ARENA.. 31
66.......... Appropriation.................................................................................... 32
67.......... Application of ARENA’s money...................................................... 32
69.......... Taxation............................................................................................ 32
Part 6—Miscellaneous 33
70.......... Extra matters to be included in annual report..................................... 33
71.......... Delegation by ARENA..................................................................... 33
72.......... Delegation by Board......................................................................... 34
73.......... Subdelegation by CEO...................................................................... 34
73A....... Disclosure of information to Clean Energy Finance Corporation...... 35
74.......... Regulations....................................................................................... 35
Endnotes 36
Endnote 1—About the endnotes 36
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key 38
Endnote 3—Legislation history 39
Endnote 4—Amendment history 40
An Act to establish the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, and for related purposes
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Australian Renewable Energy Agency Act 2011.
2 Commencement
This Act commences on 1 July 2012.
3 Object
The main object of this Act is to:
(a) improve the competitiveness of renewable energy technologies; and
(b) increase the supply of renewable energy in Australia; and
(c) facilitate the achievement of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.
4 Definitions
In this Act:
agreement includes a contract or deed.
appointed member means a Board member appointed under section 30.
ARENA: see Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
ARENA’s money: see section 67.
Australia, when used in a geographical sense, includes the external Territories.
Australian Renewable Energy Agency or ARENA means the body established by section 7.
Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets means:
(a) if:
(i) Australia’s current nationally determined contribution was communicated in accordance with Article 4 of the Paris Agreement in June 2022; and
(ii) that nationally determined contribution has not been adjusted in accordance with paragraph 11 of Article 4 of the Paris Agreement;
the greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets set out in paragraphs 10(1)(a) and (b) of the Climate Change Act 2022; or
(b) in any other case—the greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets included in:
(i) Australia’s current nationally determined contribution communicated in accordance with Article 4 of the Paris Agreement; or
(ii) if that nationally determined contribution has been adjusted in accordance with paragraph 11 of Article 4 of the Paris Agreement—that nationally determined contribution, as adjusted and in force from time to time.
Board means the Board of ARENA.
Board member means a member of the Board.
CEO means the Chief Executive Officer of ARENA.
Chair means the Chair of the Board.
Chief Financial Officer means the person employed under section 61.
Climate Change Convention means the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change done at New York on 9 May 1992, as amended and in force for Australia from time to time.
Note: The text of the Convention is set out in Australian Treaty Series 1994 No. 2 ([1994] ATS 2). In 2011, the text of a Convention in the Australian Treaty Series was accessible through the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (www.austlii.edu.au).
constitutional corporation means a corporation to which paragraph 51(xx) of the Constitution applies.
Finance Minister means the Minister who administers the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.
financial assistance means:
(a) grants; or
(b) any other kinds of assistance specified by the Minister by legislative instrument for the purpose of this paragraph.
non‑Commonwealth money means money that ARENA receives from a person other than the Commonwealth.
Paris Agreement means the Paris Agreement, done at Paris on 12 December 2015, as amended and in force for Australia from time to time.
Note: The Agreement is in Australian Treaty Series 2016 No. 24 ([2016] ATS 24) and could in 2022 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
renewable energy technologies includes:
(a) hybrid technologies; and
(b) technologies (including enabling technologies) that are related to renewable energy technologies.
Secretary means the Secretary of the Department.
vacancy, in relation to the office of an appointed member, has a meaning affected by subsection 33(4).
5 Extension to external Territories
This Act extends to every external Territory.
6 Extra‑territorial application
This Act extends to acts, omissions, matters and things outside Australia.
Part 2—Australian Renewable Energy Agency
7 Establishment
(1) The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is established by this section.
(2) ARENA:
(a) is a body corporate; and
(b) must have a seal; and
(c) may sue and be sued.
Note: The Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 applies to ARENA. That Act deals with matters relating to corporate Commonwealth entities, including reporting and the use and management of public resources.
(3) ARENA’s seal is to be kept in such custody as the Board directs and must not be used except as authorised by the Board.
(4) All courts, judges and persons acting judicially must:
(a) take judicial notice of the imprint of the seal of ARENA appearing on a document; and
(b) presume that the document was duly sealed.
8 ARENA’s functions
ARENA has the following functions:
(a) to provide financial assistance for:
(i) research into renewable energy technologies; or
(ii) the development, demonstration, commercialisation or deployment of renewable energy technologies; or
(iii) the storage and sharing of information and knowledge about renewable energy technologies;
(b) to enter into agreements for the purpose of providing financial assistance as mentioned in paragraph (a) and to administer such agreements;
(c) to collect, analyse, interpret and disseminate information and knowledge relating to renewable energy technologies and projects;
(d) to provide advice to the Minister relating to renewable energy technologies, including advice about the following:
(i) improving the competitiveness of renewable energy technologies;
(ii) increasing the supply of renewable energy in Australia;
(iii) improving the development of skills in the renewable energy technology sector;
(iv) increasing the use of renewable energy technologies;
(e) to liaise with State and Territory governments and other authorities for the purpose of facilitating renewable energy projects for which financial assistance is, or is proposed to be, provided as mentioned in paragraph (a);
(f) any other functions that are prescribed by the regulations;
(g) any other functions conferred on ARENA by this Act or any other Commonwealth law;
(h) to do anything incidental to, or conducive to, the performance of the above functions.
Note: Paragraph (f) allows additional functions to be prescribed related to renewable energy technologies as well as electrification technologies or energy efficiency technologies.
9 General rules about performance of functions
In performing its functions, ARENA must:
(a) act in a proper, efficient and effective manner; and
(b) ensure that decisions about the provision of financial assistance are based on merit; and
(c) if appropriate:
(i) act collaboratively with other persons, organisations and governments (including international organisations and foreign governments); and
(ii) promote the sharing of information and knowledge about renewable energy technologies.
10 Provision of financial assistance to be in accordance with general funding strategy
ARENA must not enter into an agreement for the provision of financial assistance unless the financial assistance provided for is in accordance with the general funding strategy that is in force under Subdivision A of Division 2 of Part 3 at the time when the agreement is entered into.
11 Minister may request ARENA to consider funding for specified projects
(1) The Minister may, in writing, request ARENA to consider providing financial assistance for a particular project specified in the request.
(2) ARENA must consider the request.
12 Ministerial approval where grants exceed $50 million
ARENA must not, without the written approval of the Minister, make grants totalling more than $50 million for a particular project.
Note: Guidelines for grant programs enabling grants exceeding $15 million for a particular project must be approved by the Minister under section 25.
13 Minister may direct ARENA to provide advice
(1) The Minister may, in writing, direct ARENA to provide advice to the Minister in relation to a matter mentioned in paragraph 8(d).
(2) ARENA must comply with the direction.
14 Constitutional limits
(1) ARENA may perform its functions only in accordance with this section.
Main constitutional basis
(2) ARENA may perform its functions with respect to external affairs, including:
(a) to give effect to the Climate Change Convention and the Paris Agreement, including by supporting activities and projects that could reasonably be expected to control, reduce or prevent anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases; and
(b) to give effect to another international agreement to which Australia is a party; and
(c) by way of performing its functions in a place outside Australia.
Other constitutional bases
(3) In addition, ARENA may perform its functions:
(a) with respect to providing financial assistance for:
(i) research into renewable energy technologies undertaken by constitutional corporations; or
(ii) the development, demonstration, commercialisation or deployment of renewable energy technologies by constitutional corporations; or
(b) with respect to trade or commerce:
(i) between Australia and places outside Australia; or
(ii) among the States; or
(iii) within a Territory, between a State and a Territory or between 2 Territories; or
(c) with respect to statistics; or
(d) with respect to a postal, telegraphic, telephonic or other like service; or
(e) with respect to the provision of a service, or financial assistance, to:
(i) the Commonwealth; or
(ii) an authority of the Commonwealth;
for a purpose of the Commonwealth; or
(f) with respect to a grant of financial assistance to a State; or
(g) with respect to, or in, a Territory; or
(h) with respect to activities that are peculiarly adapted to the government of a nation and cannot otherwise be carried on for the benefit of the nation; or
(i) with respect to the executive power of the Commonwealth; or
(j) with respect to matters incidental to the execution of any of the legislative powers of the Parliament or the executive power of the Commonwealth.
Meaning of terms
(4) A term used in this section and the Constitution has the same meaning in this section as it has in the Constitution.
15 ARENA’s powers
(1) In addition to any other powers conferred on it by this Act, ARENA has, subject to this Act, power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of its functions.
(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the powers include, subject to this Act, power:
(a) to enter into contracts; and
(b) to acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property; and
(c) to accept, otherwise than on trust, gifts, devises, bequests or other payments of money.
16 ARENA does not have privileges and immunities of the Crown
ARENA does not have the privileges and immunities of the Crown in right of the Commonwealth.
Part 3—Board of ARENA
Division 1—Establishment and functions
17 Establishment
There is to be a Board of ARENA.
18 Functions of the Board
(1) The functions of the Board are:
(a) the functions the Board has under Division 2 relating to general funding strategies, guidelines and work plans; and
(b) to decide the other strategies, objectives and policies to be followed by ARENA; and
(c) to ensure that ARENA complies with this Act.
(2) The Board has the power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of its functions.
(3) Anything done in the name of, or on behalf of, ARENA by the Board, or with the authority of the Board, is taken to have been done by ARENA.
Division 2—General funding strategy, guidelines and work plans
Subdivision A—General funding strategy
19 General funding strategy
(1) The Board must, for the 2012‑2013 financial year and each later financial year, develop a general funding strategy for the provision of financial assistance under this Act.
(2) The general funding strategy for the 2012‑2013 financial year must be developed as soon as practicable after the start of that year. A general funding strategy for a later financial year must be developed during the previous financial year.
(3) A general funding strategy must:
(a) be in writing; and
(b) be expressed to relate to the financial year for which the strategy is developed and the next 2 financial years; and
(c) state ARENA’s principal objectives and priorities for the provision of financial assistance under this Act during the financial year for which the strategy is developed and the next 2 financial years.
(4) A general funding strategy must not require financial assistance to be provided to a particular person, or for a particular project.
20 Approval of general funding strategy
(1) As soon as practicable after developing a general funding strategy for a financial year, the Board must give a copy of the strategy to the Minister for approval.
(2) A general funding strategy developed by the Board and approved by the Minister is a legislative instrument made by the Minister on the day on which the strategy is approved, but section 42 (disallowance) of the Legislation Act 2003 does not apply to a general funding strategy.
21 When a general funding strategy for a year is in force
(1) A general funding strategy for a financial year comes into force at the later of the following times:
(a) the time when the Minister approves the strategy;
(b) the start of the financial year.
(2) A general funding strategy for a financial year ceases to be in force when the general funding strategy for the next financial year comes into force.
22 Variation of general funding strategy
(1) The Board must, during a financial year, regularly review the general funding strategy that is in force for the year and consider if any variations should be made to the strategy.
(2) The Board may vary a general funding strategy.
(3) A variation must be in writing.
(4) As soon as practicable after developing a variation, the Board must give a copy of the variation to the Minister for approval.
(5) A variation comes into force at the later of the following times:
(a) the time when the Minister approves the variation;
(b) the commencement time specified in the instrument of variation (not being a time before the instrument is made).
(6) A variation developed by the Board and approved by the Minister is a legislative instrument made by the Minister on the day on which the variation is approved, but section 42 (disallowance) of the Legislation Act 2003 does not apply to a variation.
23 General funding strategy to be published on ARENA’s website
The Board must ensure that the general funding strategy that is in force from time‑to‑time under this Subdivision is published on ARENA’s website.
Subdivision B—Guidelines
24 Guidelines
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Board may:
(a) develop guidelines for the provision of financial assistance under this Act; and
(b) vary or revoke such guidelines.
(2) The Board must develop guidelines for a grant program if, under the program, the total of all grants for a particular project could exceed $15 million.
(3) Guidelines, or a variation or revocation of guidelines, must be in writing.
(4) Unless section 25 applies, guidelines, or a variation or revocation of guidelines, come into force at the commencement time specified in the instrument making, varying or revoking the guidelines (not being a time before the instrument is made).
(5) None of the following are legislative instruments:
(a) guidelines;
(b) a variation or revocation of guidelines.
25 Approval of guidelines for financial assistance in excess of $15 million
(1) The Board must give to the Minister, for his or her approval:
(a) guidelines for a grant program referred to in subsection 24(2); and
(b) any variation of such guidelines, unless the variation is of a minor nature (a minor variation); and
(c) any revocation of such guidelines.
Note: Grants totalling more than $50 million for a particular project must be approved by the Minister under section 12.
(2) If the Board makes a minor variation, the Board must inform the Minister of the variation.
(3) Guidelines, or a variation or revocation, referred to in subsection (1) come into force at the later of the following times:
(a) the time when the Minister approves the guidelines, or the variation or revocation (unless the variation is a minor variation);
(b) the commencement time specified in the instrument making, varying or revoking the guidelines (not being a time before the instrument is made).
26 Guidelines to be published on ARENA’s website
The Board must ensure that guidelines that are in force from time‑to‑time under this Subdivision are published on ARENA’s website.
Subdivision C—Work plans
27 Work plan
(1) The Board must, for the 2012‑2013 financial year and each later financial year, develop a work plan and give it to the Minister.
(2) The work plan for the 2012‑2013 financial year must be developed as soon as practicable after the start of that year. A work plan for a later financial year must be developed during the previous financial year.
(3) A work plan for a financial year must set out details of:
(a) how the general funding strategy in force under Subdivision A of this Division for the year is proposed to be implemented during the year; and
(b) without limiting paragraph (a)—the main activities proposed to be undertaken by ARENA and the Board during the year, and how they are proposed to be undertaken.
(4) The Board may, in writing, vary a work plan.
(5) Before finalising a work plan, or a variation of a work plan, the Board must:
(a) prepare a draft of the plan or variation and give it to the Minister; and
(b) have regard to any comments or requests made by the Minister in relation to the draft.
(6) A work plan, or a variation of a work plan, comes into force at the commencement time specified in the instrument making or varying the work plan (not being a time before the instrument is made).
(7) A work plan is not a legislative instrument.
28 Work plan to be taken into account
When performing functions and exercising powers in a financial year, ARENA, the Board and the CEO must take into account the work plan for that financial year.
Division 3—Board Members
29 Membership
The Board consists of:
(a) up to 6 appointed members; and
(b) the Secretary.
30 Appointment of Board members
(1) Board members (other than the Secretary) are to be appointed:
(a) by the Minister by written instrument; and
(b) on a part‑time basis.
(2) A person is not eligible for appointment as a Board member unless the Minister is satisfied that the person has experience or knowledge in at least one of the following fields:
(a) renewable energy technology;
(b) commercialisation;
(c) business investment;
(d) corporate governance.
31 Chair
The Minister must appoint one Board member to be the Chair.
32 Term of appointment
(1) An appointed member holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment. The period must not exceed 2 years.
Note: An appointed member is eligible for reappointment: see section 33AA of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.
(2) A person must not hold office as an appointed member for a continuous period of more than 6 years.
33 Acting appointments
(1) The Minister may, by written instrument, appoint a Board member to act as the Chair:
(a) during a vacancy in the office of Chair (whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office); or
(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the Chair:
(i) is absent from duty or from Australia; or
(ii) is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.
(2) The Minister may, by written instrument, appoint a person to act as an appointed member:
(a) during a vacancy in the office of an appointed member (whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office); or
(b) during any period, or during all periods, when an appointed member:
(i) is absent from duty or from Australia; or
(ii) is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.
Note: Sections 33AB and 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 have rules that apply to acting appointments.
(3) A person is not eligible for appointment to act as an appointed member unless the person is eligible for appointment as a Board member under subsection 30(2).
(4) For the purposes of a reference in:
(a) this Act to a vacancy in the office of appointed member; or
(b) the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 to a vacancy in the membership of a body;
there are taken to be 6 offices of appointed member.
34 Remuneration
(1) An appointed member is to be paid the remuneration that is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal. If no determination of that remuneration by the Tribunal is in operation, the member is to be paid the remuneration that is prescribed by the regulations.
(2) An appointed member is to be paid the allowances that are prescribed by the regulations.
(3) This section has effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.
35 Leave of absence
Chair
(1) If the Chair is an appointed member, the Minister may grant leave of absence to the Chair on the terms and conditions that the Minister determines.
Other appointed members
(2) The Chair may grant leave of absence to any other appointed member on the terms and conditions that the Chair determines.
(3) The Chair must notify the Minister if the Chair grants an appointed member leave of absence for a period that exceeds 3 months.
36 Disclosure of interests to the Minister
(1) A disclosure by a Board member under section 29 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (which deals with the duty to disclose interests) must be made to the Minister.
(2) Subsection (1) applies in addition to any rules made for the purposes of that section.
(3) For the purposes of this Act and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, the Board member is taken not to have complied with section 29 of that Act if the member does not comply with subsection (1) of this section.
37 Resignation of appointed members
(1) An appointed member may resign his or her appointment by giving the Minister a written resignation.
(2) The resignation takes effect on the day it is received by the Minister or, if a later day is specified in the resignation, on that later day.
38 Termination of appointment of appointed members
(1) The Minister may terminate the appointment of an appointed member for misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity.
(2) The Minister may terminate the appointment of an appointed member if:
(a) the member:
(i) becomes bankrupt; or
(ii) applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors; or
(iii) compounds with his or her creditors; or
(iv) makes an assignment of his or her remuneration for the benefit of his or her creditors; or
(b) the member is absent, except on leave of absence, from 3 consecutive meetings of the Board.
Note: The appointment of an appointed member may also be terminated under section 30 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (which deals with terminating the appointment of an accountable authority, or a member of an accountable authority, for contravening general duties of officials).
39 Other terms and conditions of appointed members
An appointed member holds office on the terms and conditions (if any) in relation to matters not covered by this Act that are determined by the Minister.
Division 4—Meetings of the Board
40 Convening meetings
(1) The Board must hold the meetings that are necessary for the efficient performance of its functions.
(2) Meetings are to be held at the times and places that the Board determines.
Note: See also section 33B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, which contains extra rules about meetings by telephone etc.
(3) The Chair:
(a) may convene a meeting; and
(b) must convene at least 6 meetings each calendar year; and
(c) must convene a meeting if requested in writing by:
(i) 3 or more other Board members; or
(ii) the Minister.
41 Secretary may nominate alternate to attend Board meetings
(1) The Secretary may, by writing, nominate a specified person who is an SES employee or acting SES employee in the Department to attend a particular meeting, or all meetings, of the Board at which the Secretary is not present.
(2) A person so nominated may attend a meeting to which the nomination applies and, if the person does so, he or she is taken to be a Board member.
42 Presiding at meetings
(1) The Chair must preside at all meetings at which he or she is present.
(2) If the Chair is not present at a meeting, the other Board members present must appoint one of themselves to preside.
43 Quorum
(1) At a meeting of the Board, a quorum is constituted by a majority of the current Board members.
(2) However, if:
(a) a Board member is required by rules made for the purposes of section 29 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 not to be present during the deliberations, or to take part in any decision, of the Board with respect to a particular matter; and
(b) when the member leaves the meeting concerned there is no longer a quorum present;
the remaining members at the meeting constitute a quorum for the purpose of any deliberation or decision at that meeting with respect to that matter.
44 Voting at meetings
(1) A question arising at a meeting is to be determined by a majority of the votes of the Board members present and voting.
(2) The person presiding at a meeting has a deliberative vote and, in the event of an equality of votes, a casting vote.
45 Conduct of meetings
The Board may regulate proceedings at its meetings as it considers appropriate.
46 Minutes
The Board must keep minutes of its meetings.
47 Decisions without meetings
(1) The Board is taken to have made a decision at a meeting if:
(a) without meeting, a majority of the Board members entitled to vote on the proposed decision indicate agreement with the decision; and
(b) that agreement is indicated in accordance with the method determined by the Board under subsection (2); and
(c) all the Board members were informed of the proposed decision, or reasonable efforts were made to inform all the members of the proposed decision.
(2) Subsection (1) applies only if the Board:
(a) has determined that it may make decisions of that kind without meeting; and
(b) has determined the method by which Board members are to indicate agreement with proposed decisions.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), a Board member is not entitled to vote on a proposed decision if the member would not have been entitled to vote on that proposal if the matter had been considered at a meeting of the Board.
(4) The Board must keep a record of decisions made in accordance with this section.
Division 5—Committees
48 Committees
(1) The Board may establish committees to advise or assist in the performance of ARENA’s functions or the Board’s functions.
(2) A committee may be constituted:
(a) wholly by Board members; or
(b) wholly by persons who are not Board members; or
(c) partly by Board members and partly by other persons.
(3) The Board may determine, in relation to a committee established under this section:
(a) the committee’s terms of reference; and
(b) the terms and conditions of appointment of the members of the committee; and
(c) the procedures to be followed by the committee.
49 Remuneration and allowances
(1) This section applies if a committee is established under section 48.
(2) A committee member is to be paid the remuneration that is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal. If no determination of that remuneration by the Tribunal is in operation, the member is to be paid the remuneration that is prescribed by the regulations.
(3) A committee member is to be paid the allowances that are prescribed by the regulations.
(4) This section has effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.
Part 4—Chief Executive Officer, staff and consultants
Division 1—Chief Executive Officer of ARENA
50 Establishment
There is to be a Chief Executive Officer of ARENA.
51 Role
(1) The CEO is responsible for the day‑to‑day administration of ARENA.
(2) The CEO has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of his or her duties.
(3) The CEO is to act in accordance with policies determined by the Board.
(4) The Board may give written directions to the CEO about the performance of the CEO’s responsibilities.
(5) The CEO must comply with a direction under subsection (4).
(6) A direction under subsection (4) is not a legislative instrument.
52 Appointment
(1) The CEO is to be appointed by the Minister on the recommendation of the Board.
(2) The CEO is to be appointed:
(a) by written instrument; and
(b) on a full‑time basis.
(3) The CEO holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment. The period must not exceed 3 years.
Note: A CEO is eligible for re‑appointment: see section 33AA of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.
(4) The Minister must not appoint a Board member as the CEO.
53 Acting appointments
(1) The Minister may, by written instrument, appoint a person (including an appointed member) to act as the CEO:
(a) during a vacancy in the office of the CEO (whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office); or
(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the CEO:
(i) is absent from duty or from Australia; or
(ii) is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.
(2) If the Minister appoints an appointed member to act as the CEO, the member is to be appointed to act on a part‑time basis.
Note: Sections 33AB and 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 have rules that apply to acting appointments.
54 Outside employment
The CEO must not engage in paid employment outside the duties of his or her office without the Minister’s approval.
55 Remuneration
(1) The CEO is to be paid the remuneration that is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal. If no determination of that remuneration by the Tribunal is in operation, the CEO is to be paid the remuneration that is prescribed by the regulations.
(2) The CEO is to be paid the allowances that are prescribed by the regulations.
(3) This section has effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.
56 Leave
(1) The CEO has the recreation leave entitlements that are determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.
(2) The Minister may grant the CEO leave of absence, other than recreation leave, on the terms and conditions as to remuneration or otherwise that the Minister determines.
57 Disclosure of interests to the Minister
(1) A disclosure by the CEO under section 29 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (which deals with the duty to disclose interests) must be made to the Minister.
(2) Subsection (1) applies in addition to any rules made for the purposes of that section.
(3) For the purposes of this Act and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, the CEO is taken not to have complied with section 29 of that Act if the CEO does not comply with subsection (1) of this section.
58 Resignation
(1) The CEO may resign his or her appointment by giving the Minister a written resignation.
(2) The resignation takes effect on the day it is received by the Minister or, if a later day is specified in the resignation, on that later day.
59 Termination of appointment
(1) The Minister may terminate the appointment of the CEO for misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity.
(2) Before the Minister terminates the appointment of the CEO under subsection (1) the Minister must consult the Board.
(3) The Minister may terminate the appointment of the CEO if:
(a) the CEO:
(i) becomes bankrupt; or
(ii) applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors; or
(iii) compounds with his or her creditors; or
(iv) makes an assignment of his or her remuneration for the benefit of his or her creditors; or
(b) the CEO is absent, except on leave of absence, for 14 consecutive days or for 28 days in any 12 months; or
(c) the CEO fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with section 29 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (which deals with the duty to disclose interests) or rules made for the purposes of that section; or
(d) the CEO engages, except with the Minister’s approval, in paid employment outside the duties of his or her office (see section 54).
60 Other terms and conditions
The CEO holds office on the terms and conditions (if any) in relation to matters not covered by this Act that are determined by the Minister.
Division 2—Staff and consultants
61 Chief Financial Officer
(1) ARENA may employ a person to perform chief financial officer functions in ARENA.
(2) The person is to be employed on the terms and conditions that ARENA determines.
62 Other staff
(1) The other staff necessary to assist ARENA are to be persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999 who are:
(a) employed in the Department; and
(b) made available for the purpose by the Secretary.
(2) ARENA must not otherwise engage or employ such staff.
(3) The Secretary must make available persons employed in the Department to assist ARENA.
63 Consultants
(1) ARENA may engage consultants to provide technical and specialist advisory services to assist ARENA in the performance of its functions.
(2) The consultants are to be engaged on the terms and conditions that ARENA determines.
(3) A person must not be engaged as a consultant to perform operational or administrative duties of a kind that are performed, or are capable of being performed, by the staff referred to in section 62.
Part 5—Finance
64 Amounts available for payment to ARENA
(1) Subject to section 65, the Commonwealth will, for each financial year specified in the following table, make payments to ARENA up to the amount specified for that year.
| Yearly maximum payments to ARENA |
| Item | Financial year | Amount for financial year |
| 1 | 2013‑2014 | $581,276,000.00 |
| 2 | 2014‑2015 | $194,340,000.00 |
| 3 | 2015‑2016 | $89,991,000.00 |
| 4 | 2016‑2017 | $56,950,000.00 |
| 5 | 2017‑2018 | $257,925,000.00 |
| 6 | 2018‑2019 | $235,296,000.00 |
| 7 | 2019‑2020 | $254,704,000.00 |
| 8 | 2020‑2021 | $134,035,000.00 |
| 9 | 2021‑2022 | $132,474,000.00 |
Carry over of unspent money from one year to next
(2) If the amount specified in the table in subsection (1) for a financial year exceeds the amount paid to ARENA under section 65 in respect of requests made during that year, the table has effect as if the amount specified in the table for the next financial year were increased by the excess.
65 Payment of up to balance of specified amounts on request by ARENA
(1) Subject to this section, ARENA may, during a financial year specified in the table in section 64, request payments from the Commonwealth to meet liabilities of ARENA:
(a) that are already due for payment; or
(b) that will, or are expected to, become due for payment during the year.
(2) A request must:
(a) be made to meet liabilities of ARENA:
(i) that are already due for payment; or
(ii) that will, or are expected to, become due for payment during a period specified in the request; and
(b) specify the amount of the payment requested.
(3) The following matters are to be as agreed between ARENA and the Minister:
(a) how requests are to be made, including:
(i) the form in which a request is to be made; and
(ii) the person to whom a request is to be given;
(b) the frequency with which ARENA may make requests;
(c) the period that may be specified in a request as mentioned in subparagraph (2)(a)(ii).
(4) ARENA cannot make requests during a financial year that exceed in total the amount specified for the year in the table in section 64.
Note: The amounts specified in the table may be affected by subsection 64(2).
(5) If ARENA makes a request for payment in accordance with this section (and in accordance with an agreement referred to in subsection (3)), the Commonwealth must, as soon as practicable, pay ARENA the amount requested.
66 Appropriation
Amounts payable to ARENA under section 65 are to be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly.
67 Application of ARENA’s money
(1) ARENA’s money consists of:
(a) money paid to ARENA under section 65; and
(b) any other money received by ARENA.
(2) ARENA’s money is to be applied only:
(a) in providing financial assistance in accordance with this Act; and
(b) in payment of remuneration and allowances payable under this Act; and
(c) in payment or discharge of any other expenses, charges, obligations and liabilities incurred or undertaken by ARENA in the performance of its functions and the exercise of its powers.
(3) ARENA’s money must not be applied in payment of the salaries and allowances of, or other costs associated with, the staff referred to in section 62.
(4) Subsection (2) does not prevent investment, under section 59 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, of money that is not immediately required for the purposes of ARENA.
69 Taxation
ARENA is not subject to taxation under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory.
Part 6—Miscellaneous
70 Extra matters to be included in annual report
The annual report prepared by the Board and given to the Minister under section 46 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 for a period must include the following:
(a) particulars of each request given to ARENA by the Minister under section 11, during the period;
(b) particulars of each direction given to ARENA by the Minister under section 13, during the period;
(c) for each person to whom financial assistance has been provided, or committed, under an agreement during the period, particulars of:
(i) the name of the person; and
(ii) the nature and amount of the financial assistance provided or committed; and
(iii) the renewable energy technology or technologies to which the assistance relates (if the assistance relates to one or more particular renewable energy technologies);
(d) an assessment of the extent to which agreements for the provision of financial assistance entered into during the period have progressed, or are expected to progress, the principal objectives and priorities as stated in the general funding strategy in force under Subdivision A of Division 2 of Part 3 for the period.
71 Delegation by ARENA
(1) ARENA may, in writing under its seal, delegate all or any of its powers or functions under this Act to:
(a) a Board member; or
(b) the CEO.
(2) In exercising any powers or performing any functions under the delegation, the delegate must comply with any directions of ARENA.
72 Delegation by Board
(1) The Board may, in writing, delegate to a Board member or the CEO any of its powers or functions under this Act, other than Subdivision A of Division 2 of Part 3 (general funding strategy).
(2) In exercising any powers or performing any functions under the delegation, the delegate must comply with any directions of the Board.
(3) A delegation under this section:
(a) may be revoked by the Board (whether or not constituted by the Board members who constituted the Board when the power was delegated); and
(b) continues in force even if the membership of the Board changes.
73 Subdelegation by CEO
(1) If ARENA or the Board delegates a power or function under subsection 71(1) or 72(1) to the CEO, the CEO may, in writing, subdelegate the power or function to:
(a) the Chief Financial Officer; or
(b) a member of staff referred to in section 62 who:
(i) is an SES employee or acting SES employee in the Department; or
(ii) holds, or is acting in, an Executive Level 2, or equivalent, position in the Department.
(2) In exercising any powers or performing any functions under the subdelegation, the subdelegate must comply with any directions of the CEO.
(3) Sections 34AA, 34AB and 34A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 apply in relation to the subdelegation in a corresponding way to the way in which they apply in relation to a delegation.
73A Disclosure of information to Clean Energy Finance Corporation
ARENA may disclose information to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation if the disclosure will enable or assist the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to perform or exercise any of its functions or powers.
74 Regulations
The Governor‑General may make regulations prescribing matters:
(a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or
(b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.