Page 1817 - Week 06 - Thursday, 5 June 2014
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Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Bill 2014
Mr Barr, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.
Title read by Clerk.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Sport and Recreation, Minister for Tourism and Events and Minister for Community Services) (10.21): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
I introduce the Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 which amends the following acts and regulations: the Planning and Development Regulation 2008, the Public Unleased Land Act 2013, the Gaming Machine Act 2004, the Casino Control Act 2006, the Race and Sports Bookmaking Act 2001, the Registration of Deeds Act 1957, the Tobacco Act 1927, the Hawkers Act 2003, the Magistrates Court (Fair Trading Motor Vehicle Repair Industry Infringements Notices) Regulation 2012, the Magistrates Court (Sale of Motor Vehicles Infringements Notices) Regulation 2005, the Security Industry Act 2003, the Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010, the Pawn Brokers Act 1902, the Sale of Motor Vehicles Act 1997 and the Second-hand Dealers Act 1906.
The purpose of the amendments to all 15 acts is to reduce red tape for business and for the community, particularly in relation to the establishment of outdoor dining facilities, amendments to certain licensing periods, business signage requirements and statutory declarations.
The bill implements a simplified and streamlined approval mechanism for outdoor dining areas for businesses such as restaurants and cafes. At present businesses are required to lodge a development application and then liaise with multiple ACT government agencies and can incur significant financial costs to establish or locate minor objects in outdoor dining areas. The amendments I present today will allow businesses intending to place semi-fixed objects in outdoor areas to simply apply for a single permit under the Public Unleased Land Act 2013. These permit applications will be assessed by the Office of Regulatory Services and this will lead to a significantly streamlined process.
The bill will also amend the Casino Control Act 2006 and the Race and Sports Bookmaking Act 2001 to extend licence periods from two to three years. The Justice and Community Safety Legislation (Red Tape Reduction No 1—Licence Periods) Amendment Act 2013 amended a number of acts to extend the maximum length of various licence periods. These amendments were in response to a recommendation from the government’s red tape reduction committee which found that administration of annual licence renewals is time consuming and costly for business. The bill that I present this morning extends these benefits to more businesses.
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