Australia’s world-leading regulatory practices have drawn international praise from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
In a statement, the OECD said its 2021 International Regulatory Policy Outlook Report compared member countries’ efforts to improve the quality of regulatory decision-making.
It said assessments were based on three key indicators: Stakeholder engagement in developing regulations; regulatory impact analysis; and evaluation of existing regulations.
The OECD said Australia was ranked highly for each indicator.
Executive Director of the Office for Best Practice Regulation (OBPR), Jason Lange (pictured) said Australia’s regulatory settings played a vital role in the health of the economy.
“Settings based on evidence and best-practice analysis are important for our economic recovery as a nation — fit-for-purpose regulation means fewer burdens on individuals and businesses, making it easier for Australians to go about daily life,” Mr Lange said.
“Regulatory impact analysis is the framework that ensures proposed changes will fix the issue they intend to, and that unintended consequences can be identified early and addressed,” he said.
Mr Lange said when substantial new policy decisions were sought, they must be accompanied by an assessment of how the changes would impact businesses, individuals and society.
“The OBPR supports the Public Service to produce these assessments,” he said.
“The OBPR works with all Departments and Agencies to consider whole-of-Government and broader societal and economic impacts.
“Agencies can access support from the OBPR at any stage of the policy-development cycle.”
The Executive Director said the OBPR helped to scope policy problems early, build the required evidence base and identify and analyse a suite of genuine and viable policy options that would solve the problem.
“Through good impact analysis, we can continue to uphold these internationally regarded standards and ensure that Australian decision-makers have the best possible evidence,” Mr Lange said.
The OECD Report can be accessed online at this PS News link.
