Page 1892 - Week 06 - Thursday, 9 May 2013
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(1) The Red Tape Reduction Panel was established following the release of Growth, Diversification and Jobs – A Business Development Strategy for the ACT in April 2012.
(2) The Panel is comprised of industry representatives from the ACT Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Canberra Business Council, and the Council of Small Businesses of Australia. For the next 6 months, ClubsACT will also be represented on the Panel. It also includes representatives from the Economic Development Directorate and the Office of Regulatory Services. I am the Chair of the Panel.
(3) The Panel has met four times since it was established on 12 July 2012, 26 July 2012, 30 August 2012 and 12 December 2012. The next meeting will be held in May 2013.
(4)(a) During 2012, the following reforms and areas of reform were identified:
- Provision of an online feedback tool designed to give individuals a mechanism to identify any ‘red tape’ that affects or impedes their ability to do business in the ACT.
- Abolishing motor vehicle registration stickers.
- eLodgement of rental bonds.
- Extending various licences from annual renewals to longer terms wherever possible.
- Streamlining signage requirements for business.
- Minimising the need for multiple police checks.
- Streamlining approvals and licensing processes for outdoor dining areas.
For the balance of 2013, the Panel is focusing its attention on red tape within the clubs and hospitality sector, the real estate industry and the tertiary education sector.
(4)(b) At this early stage of a long-term reform agenda, the focus of the Panel has been on improving efficiencies in response to concerns raised by industry, rather than quantifying the exact value of the red tape being removed.
As of March 2013, all new policy and/or policy changes will be subject to a triple bottom line assessment, as per the ACT Government’s Triple Bottom Line Assessment Framework.
It is also worth noting that the Productivity Commission is undertaking a benchmarking study into regulator engagement with small business. It is anticipated that this study will result in a recommended national approach to quantifying the financial impact of ‘red tape’ and its removal.
(5)(a) The status of the reforms identified at 4(a) are as follows:
- The ‘Fix my Red Tape’ portal went live in January 2013.
- Registration labels will not be required for light vehicles from 1 July 2013.
- Work is continuing on the eLodgement of rental bonds.
- The first tranche of proposed extended licence terms will be introduced to the Assembly in the coming months.
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