Re Laws in Australia in this area:
Federally - The Treasury, they do the drafting of bills etc - there is consulatation with interested parties. Politicians have to be convinced that it is needed.

The federal agency which enforces such consumer safety laws (and may comment on them in drafting stage) the ACCC under the Aust Competition and Consumer Act (formally the Trade Practices Act.) State bodies also have a role. eg NSW Fair Trading, Vic Ministry of Consumer Affairs, et al.

Also in the mix is Standards Australia. They are the non profit body which, after input from business, consumers etc, has committees which write standards, which may or may not become enshrined in law.

Never fear, the relevant people at Treasury, Standards Australia, some Ministerial Office (state or federal), the ACCC etc will be following the debate in the US. If there is change in the US, it will be closely looked at here (as is also the case with change in the EU). This thread debate may be looked at ... it can probably be found by a Google search.

As stated in one of my earlier posts, I hope that if the rules change that they are not written in such a way that only one device/technology meets the legal criteria - thus giving one manufacturer a monopoly. It has happened in the past

If the rules are likely to change (and they look like they might, given the current debate in the US) there will be an opportunity to make a submission to the relevant body (or your local member). If you are passionate about your position, when the opportunity arises, do so.

We do adopt some overseas standards - Motorcycle helmet standard is modelled on overseas standards. Sometimes the os standard is adopted.

I think Ian has covered the "why is this so" arguments very well in his posts, thanks