Page 4453 - Week 14 - Thursday, 28 November 2013
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
to identify further areas for reform that can be considered by the panel in future meetings.
I would like to take a moment to outline a number of the red tape reduction reforms that have already been completed or are currently underway. Reforms are being addressed in a series of phases. The first phase involves an easy and straightforward feedback mechanism, the “fix my red tape” website, which was launched in January of this year. It is based on the “fix my street” model, and aims to provide a mechanism for businesses to identify areas where they are having difficulty with regulations and processes. it allows for a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week capacity for issues to be lodged with government.
To date most of the queries received through the website relate to seeking information in relation to areas of government. Three queries have related directly to the work of the panel and have raised opportunities that would require changes to process or legislative amendments to reduce red tape. I can report to the Assembly that two of those issues have already been resolved and one is in progress. We have taken on board that people can sometimes find it difficult to navigate government and find information. We are working on making improvements here through service ACT and open government initiatives.
As of 1 July this year, we no longer have a vehicle registration process in terms of stickers in the ACT. We no longer have the fuss of removing old registration labels and sticking on new ones. The cost of manufacturing and distributing registration labels is significant. With the advent of new technologies in the ACT such as the RAPID technology, which can quickly check the currency of a vehicle’s registration, the continuation of labels was a costly and unnecessary impost.
I can advise the Assembly that the process is underway to replace the existing rental bond business system with a new system that will allow the online lodgement and refund of people’s rental bonds. This will do away with the paper lodgement that is time consuming and costly for members of the public, for business and for government. The new system is expected to be implemented in 2014.
I am also pleased to advise that the government has successfully amended various licence terms to ensure that longer licences can be issued. This occurred under the Justice and Community Safety Legislation (Red Tape Reduction No 1—Licence Periods) Amendment Act 2013. These changes began on 22 August of this year.
The final part of the first phase of the red tape reduction reform involves reviews that are being undertaken across government to alleviate the compliance burden on businesses, including reviewing police check requirements and the streamlining of administrative requirements around business signage.
Phase 2 of the reforms are proposals to streamline the approvals and licensing processes for outdoor dining areas to cut regulatory burdens and include the development application process. I am pleased to advise that work on these reforms is progressing well.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video