Page 933 - Week 03 - Thursday, 10 March 2016
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MR BARR (Molonglo—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Tourism and Events and Minister for Urban Renewal) (11.14): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
Today I introduce the Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Bill 2016. Cutting unnecessary red tape is a key goal for my government as part of our ongoing strategy to ensure that we create the best possible environment for emerging and established businesses.
Regulatory reform is an essential way to grow and diversify our economy, and it forms a central plank of the government’s economic strategy, alongside capitalising on the commencement of international flights, supporting the growing strength and capability of our universities, making life easier for businesses and individuals by creating a one-stop approvals process through Access Canberra and creating more inbound tourism attractions.
This bill focuses on making it easier for businesses to meet regulatory requirements. It does so by removing some unnecessary requirements altogether and streamlining and amending others so that they deliver clear administrative processes for both business and for government.
Each year my government has committed to presenting a red tape reduction omnibus bill to the Assembly because, of course, reform is a never-ending race in what is an increasingly global marketplace. This bill represents our third red tape reduction bill since 2014, and through ongoing engagement with stakeholders from the business sector through to the broader community, we will continue to cut red tape in a way that delivers maximum benefit for Canberra businesses and for Canberra consumers.
This bill reflects our intent to ensure that our city’s regulation remains relevant, efficient and effective. It ensures that Canberra remains a great place to start up and to run a business, a great place to work, a great place to study and a great place to raise a family. This bill amends significant pieces of legislation, including the University of Canberra Act 1989, the Financial Management Act 1996, the Gaming Machine Act 2004, the Security Industry Act 2003, the Liquor Act 2010, the Charitable Collections Act 2003, the Agents Act 2003, the Public Unleased Land Act 2013, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body Act 2008, the Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010, various other acts requiring the production of statutory declarations, and all acts requiring complaints to be made in writing as well as being signed by the complainant.
Madam Deputy Speaker, this bill presents amendments that will significantly lower the administrative burden for businesses and other organisations, saving them time, saving them effort but, most importantly, saving them money. Amendments within the bill are another step in our strategy to support the University of Canberra to continue to grow its reputation as a world-class higher education institution. We do so in this bill by making it simpler for the university to undertake commercial projects.
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