Page 3664 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 18 September 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: The ruling has been made on the advice of the Clerk, so the ruling stands.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong) (11.37): Madam Assistant Speaker, I think we need to have a think about how to reflect on this. Mr Wall has made some interesting points. I do not want to challenge your ruling, but I think this matter warrants further conversation. I would seek some advice on how we might best address that question.
Debate (on motion by Mr Coe) adjourned to a later hour.
Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Bill 2018
Debate resumed from 23 August 2018, on motion by Mr Ramsay:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
MR WALL (Brindabella) (11.38): I rise to speak to the government’s red tape reduction bill. One thing that this bill unequivocally does is mark the final death knell for the fax machine and in some instances the telex as well. The legislation before us is part of a series of bills put forward in the name of red tape reduction. This is a loosely used term at the best of times. Often measures do not go nearly far enough in reducing the impact that government red tape has on business and the community. And often the biggest winners out of these bills are in fact government and the bureaucracy themselves.
However, looking at the nitty-gritty of admin processes and the like, it does seem that many of the provisions in this bill will improve some of the administrative processes and streamline reporting requirements for some organisations and groups. Most provisions relate to the removal of duplicated processes and addressing outdated requirements and bring us up to date in terms of prescribing what formats forms can be lodged in and by what means.
The idea that red tape might actually be reduced is an exciting prospect for the businesses and the organisations captured by this bill and for the community more broadly, but mostly, notably, the biggest winner is the government in its processes and practices.
When bills of this nature are before us they are cautiously welcomed on this side of the chamber, as the Canberra Liberals fundamentally believe in reducing the regulatory burden in the ACT and in particular on business. Ultimately what we would like to see come before us in the way of red tape reduction is legislation and policy ideas with a focus on enhancing innovation, competitiveness and productivity as well as economic growth, and removing any barriers for business and the community in doing so.
The government has titled this a red tape reduction bill. More aptly, it is probably a bureaucracy efficiency measure rather than actual red tape reduction. I acknowledge the efforts, though, made by the minister’s office in providing extra information to my
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video