Page 1113 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 25 March 2015
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MR BARR: The question is seeking an expression of opinion, but in my opinion the clarity is there in so much as we have a one-stop shop, Access Canberra, where all of our regulatory functions are combined. The advantage of this is that we can provide to our clients—businesses, community organisations, event organisers and the like—a single point of reference where they can get all of their regulatory approvals. There are advantages of this from a business’s perspective. For example, a business providing both food and liquor would require approvals in relation to food safety, liquor licensing and a range of other areas where they have a regulatory requirement. This is now the one-stop shop and it is working to assist businesses, the community sector and event organisers to get their approvals more quickly. Where there are issues with competing regulatory requirements causing difficulty, there is one agency with one person in charge to make a quick decision to assist business. That is exactly what is happening, and it is a good outcome.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, how is the community meant to identify whether an issue falls under your control, as minister responsible for racing and gaming regulation, or Minister Burch’s control, as minister responsible for gaming and racing policy?
MR BARR: It is really quite straightforward. If the matter relates to policy, Minister Burch has responsibility for setting the policy. Access Canberra has responsibility for enforcing whatever the rules of the day are. The advantage of this is that we have a one-stop shop. So rather than having to go to seven different places to get regulatory approval to conduct an activity—if you were using public unleased land you might require food or liquor licensing; you might also need approval from the Emergency Services Agency or involvement from a number of other regulatory arms of government—you have a one-stop shop.
I have announced this. It has been in place for months. I have spoken about it a dozen times in this place. It seems odd that those opposite are yet to come to terms with it. But I am pleased that you have. The feedback from business and those who are dealing with ACT government is very positive, and I am very pleased to hear that.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, will you now be signing all poker machine legislative instruments?
MR BARR: No. I have responsibility for regulation, not policy.
Mr Coe interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order!
MR BARR: Not policy. The setting of the regulatory environment is a policy function. So what we have separated is those who have the responsibility to—
Opposition members interjecting—
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