New measures to remove red tape as unnecessary regulatory burdens on business have been developed by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The measures are aimed at ensuring the private sector can lead the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Announcing the measures, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ben Morton said the key elements were reducing the regulatory burden for businesses interacting with the Government; making it easier for businesses to get people into jobs, and building foundations for future reforms.
“They also highlight the Government’s investment in technology to reduce regulatory impacts on business,” Mr Morton said.
“Regulation Technology, or regtech, takes advantage of opportunities presented by technologies that are changing how businesses operate and Governments regulate.”
He said regtech solutions, including digitisation of existing processes and accompanying regulatory improvements, could deliver significant benefits to business.
“We will streamline health products digital pathways, providing a single digital channel (the Health Products Portal) to manage applications to the Medical Services Advisory Committee and the Prostheses List Advisory Committee for regulated and reimbursed health products and services,” Mr Morton said.
“Regtech options for the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting scheme will streamline reporting for over 900 companies reporting on over 7,500 facilities every year.”
He said technological innovation to deliver fisheries deregulation would mean about 1,220 commercial fishing operators could rapidly access information to more efficiently plan fishing and marketing operations, avoiding bycatch and protected species.
“These measures build on the success of previous deregulation measures, which are a key part of the Government’s plan to support our economic recovery, by making it easier for businesses to invest and create jobs,” Mr Morton said.
“We are also building a pipeline of deregulation reforms, improving the business environment now and into the future.”
