Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

None . . Page.. 629 ..

and reviewed them from a client viewpoint. It is aimed at redesigning mega processes to address client identified shortcomings. The mega processes are, for example, strategic planning and the development of the land release program, the broadacre land development, building development on broadacre land, development in established areas and site applications. The review also defined requirements for implementations. The first stage of that implementation is now under way. DELP has set up 13 working groups to look at a range of issues that were identified by the review. Clearly, this has been a very valuable exercise, and it will continue to be so.

In setting up the red tape task force I have been very conscious of the fact that there would be very little value in duplicating work that was already in the pipeline. Indeed, our modus operandi clearly recognises the existence of not only the DELP process review but also a number of other reviews that are being conducted by the Attorney-General’s Department. Mr Speaker, the red tape task force has been created to tackle the dual problems of red tape and excessive legislation that hamper economic growth in the ACT. It is a joint government and business task force, with an independent chair, Mrs Elizabeth Whitelaw from the legal firm Sly and Weigall.

The scope of its review will be wide ranging. For example, some of the typical problems which may be brought up are the number of forms which business people are asked to complete and the number of agencies they have to deal with in order to obtain an approval. There may be concerns about the complexity of legislation or the number of times it is amended. There may be concerns about perceived inconsistencies or disagreements between agencies over some areas that are regulated. The list goes on, if what we have been hearing from the private sector is anything to go by, and I believe that it is. We have set up the task force so that all of these issues can be looked at from a whole of government perspective. We are not talking about going back and redoing any of the work that has already been completed by DELP in that DELP process review; quite the opposite, in fact.

I understand that Mrs Whitelaw has asked that a senior manager from DELP join the task force, and this invitation has been accepted by Mr Townsend. We believe that these processes can inform each other - that the DELP review can provide the task force with information on matters that have already been dealt with, while the task force will be able to inform DELP on matters from a wider perspective. I believe that the red tape task force will ultimately benefit all agencies which have as their goal improved client services and relations.

Mr Speaker, the red tape task force is a vitally important opportunity for the business sector in the ACT to have its say. We have placed no limit on what their submissions should address. Clearly, if we were to do that, we would be setting the task force up for failure, and we want it to succeed. The task force can do that only if it is not itself tied up in red tape. I agree with Mr Moore. We will make sure, by having Mr Townsend on that red tape task force, that that task force does not revisit something that has already been done by the people at DELP.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .