31/2010
16 June 2010
Lindsay Tanner, Minister for Finance and Deregulation today hosted the inaugural Better Regulation Business Forum with representatives from Australia’s leading business associations at Old Parliament House, Canberra.
Lindsay Tanner said the forum provided an opportunity to further build the Rudd Government’s engagement with business on regulatory issues.
“This forum provided was an opportunity for business to learn more about the Commonwealth’s Better Regulation agenda and COAG’s Seamless National Economy program of reforms. Just as importantly though, it provided the Government with the chance to hear business stakeholder views.”
Representatives from a broad range of industries were in attendance including the Business Council of Australia, Australian Industry Group, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Minerals Council of Australia.
Lindsay Tanner was also joined by several senior Ministerial colleagues, together with senior representatives from several key government agencies.
Dr Craig Emerson, Minister for Small Business and Minister Assisting on Deregulation, Nick Sherry, Assistant Treasurer, Chris Bowen, Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law, and Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government addressed the forum throughout the day highlighting the Rudd Government’s ongoing commitment to progressing the better regulation agenda across government.
Dr Emerson explained the origins of and progress in reforming 27 areas of business regulation across Commonwealth, state and territory jurisdictions and eight competition policy reforms.
“By implementing these reforms we are putting an end to the rail-gauge economics that has divided Australia in up to eight segmented markets, moving the nation towards a seamless national economy. Progress is generally good but we must remain vigilant in ensuring milestones are met and the reforms are brought to completion”.
Lindsay Tanner said that the inaugural forum was a result of the OECD’s final report on Australia’s regulatory performance: Towards a Seamless National Economy, 2009, which recommended to further engagement with business.
“In its review, the OECD found that Australia is one of the front-running countries in the OECD in terms of its regulatory reform practices. The OECD commended the work Australia has done in regulatory reform but noted there is always more to do and today’s forum is a step in that direction.”
To further improve engagement with business on regulatory reform issues, the Government launched the Better Business Regulation blog today.
Lindsay Tanner said the new website will provide an online environment for business to share perspectives and experiences, and provide direct input on reform priorities and opportunities to improve regulatory quality.
“This new initiative will allow a conversation between government and business on the future direction of the Better Regulation agenda. It provides an opportunity to hear first hand views on how regulation may be affecting individual businesses, what it is costing, what is working and what is not.”
The Better Business Regulation blog can be accessed at: http://betterregulation.finance.gov.au| Media Contact: | Website: |
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| Nardia Dazkiw, 0418 144 690 | www.financeminister.gov.au |
