Page 1351 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 12 May 2021
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whole-of-government regulatory issues and to support the diverse economic hub of Mitchell.
Questions regarding government programs for street improvements have been addressed, and we have built stronger relationships of communication and response. The task force is not just focusing on the long term, but actively solving issues we are hearing along the way. As an example, the National Zoo and Aquarium’s concerns with road management plans have already been addressed. The task force ensured that the correct information was provided and it prevented unnecessary duplication between government agencies. My officials from the task force will continue to engage closely with the zoo’s management to ensure a close working relationship between this important tourist attraction and the ACT government.
Since taking on the Business and Better Regulation portfolio, I have had an open-door policy encouraging businesses to meet with me. Encouragingly, this has been embraced by the business community, and it has complemented my attendance at existing industry forums and events. This initial engagement has confirmed our understanding that businesses across the ACT have varied experiences and needs depending on their business nature, business focus or point in business life cycle.
Through the task force, we are leading with ongoing engagement that is accessible, inclusive, and tailored to stakeholder availability and preference. This ensures we capture the business community’s diverse views and needs, and it is proving effective. The task force is keen to understand the challenges that exist so it can move quickly to support business recovery.
The task force’s engagement approach is underpinned by a few key principles. Firstly, we know that everyone is busy, especially business owners and leaders. Therefore, we want to engage with people in a way that suits them and is a good use of their time. Secondly, we recognise that engagement is a two-way process. To support this, we will loop back with business on what we have heard and what we are doing about it. And then, we are engaging directly with business owners, which includes going to where they already are and attending forums or associations they are already engaged in.
The activities of the task force are taking place within a broader context of ACT government response to COVID-19 and other initiatives to support economic recovery and growth. This is three-phase program of whole-of-government work over 2½ years. The phases are discovery phase, analysis and recommendations phase and implementation phase. I recognise the essential role of stakeholders to inform and contribute meaningfully to the work of the task force throughout all phases.
We are undertaking a discovery phase right now and listening to business, because they know what they need and have practical ideas about what needs to change. The task force has undertaken direct engagement with stakeholders, held internal and external workshops and attended peak body forums to capture business input. The task force has engaged with over 60 stakeholders across the ACT, from sole traders and start-ups to larger and more established businesses.
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