The Government is actively pursuing a number of initiatives aimed at assisting business growth. Integral to this are measures to significantly reduce the burden of red tape. Small business spends too much time complying with paperwork and government regulation. Reforms will reduce that time so they can focus on building their business and creating real jobs for Australians – in particular young Australians.
Local Government and the Commonwealth has a critical role to play in national economic reform, particularly in the reforms necessary to improve Australia’s overall competitiveness and economic performance. The report of the Small Business Deregulation Task Force, better known as the Bell Report, was released in August 1996. The Prime Minister responded to the report in his More Time For Business statement to Parliament in March 1997.
The National Office of Local Government (NOLG) has responsibility for implementing recommendation 29 of More Time For Business. In cooperation with all spheres of government and the building and development industry the NOLG is to coordinate the preparation of a strategy to reform concurrence and referral procedures in the industry and to devolve dispute resolution mechanisms and delegations in the decision making process to the lowest level practicable.
The Commonwealth recognises that most States have already undertaken substantial reforms to their planning and development practices, but there is considerable work still to be done. The system of referring developments between the different spheres of government adds greatly to the time taken for approvals and may hinder the efficient operation of the approvals system.
The lack of coordination certainly hinders the efficient operation of both State and Local Governments in the approval field.
In 1991, it was estimated that there were between 200,000 and 250,000 referrals annually between Local and State governments. This involved some 75,000 developments. Of these, a massive 72 percent were approved without modification, indicating that there is plenty of scope to make significant savings in this area alone.
In preparing the Commonwealth’s regulatory reform agenda, the Government has actively sought the views of those affected by regulation. The high level of consultation with business and government has typified the Government’s approach.
Australia presently operates under eight systems of development control. State and Territory planning systems have, in the main, been developed in isolation of each other. These planning systems can be subject to varied and inconsistent interpretation by Australia’s Local Government authorities.
Decisions are subject to inconsistencies and clients often seek recourse to the courts and tribunals with resultant legal costs to clients and the community.
If we are to be competitive in the global economy, attract investment and create wealth, we need to work together to develop more harmonised, best practice development control systems for all Australia.
The Commonwealth recognises that this cannot be achieved overnight. However, More Time For Business gives us the best opportunity yet to work together and develop a reform strategy that will harmonise and streamline development control systems throughout Australia.
The National Office of Local Government has already sponsored several workshops with industry and government representatives. More workshops are planned in ensuing months, culminating in a national regulatory reform workshop scheduled for later in the year.
The implementation of a national regulatory reform framework is of critical importance as we approach the next millennium. You are encouraged to become actively involved in this work.
For more information on the workshops, please contact Phil Harvey at the National Office of Local Government on (02) 6274 8121.
