{"id":26339,"date":"2013-03-13T15:01:23","date_gmt":"2013-03-13T05:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=26339"},"modified":"2020-12-21T13:29:52","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T03:29:52","slug":"report-slashes-red-tape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2013\/03\/13\/report-slashes-red-tape\/","title":{"rendered":"Report Slashes Red Tape"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington with Jacqui Trace and mechanic Kyle Hannah from Bill Hull Car Centre in Kingaroy … businesses like this will now save more than $1500 a year<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

March 13, 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington says it\u2019s been rewarding to be directly involved in the release of a recent report by the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) to help reduce red tape for businesses.<\/p>\n

In her role as Assistant Minister for Administration, Finance and Regulatory Reform, Mrs Frecklington said the OBPR\u2019s Final Report provides a structure for the Newman Government to go about achieving its goal of reducing red tape and regulation by 20 per cent.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been talking directly with businesses around Queensland to find out how we can help them and how government can drive regulatory reform and help restore transparency and accountability,” she said.<\/p>\n

“We had an election commitment to establish the Office of Best Practice Regulation within the Queensland Competition Authority and I believe we have been able to achieve some great outcomes already.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor example, motor vehicle repair shops are currently required to hold an environmental licence, authorising them to carry on their business in a particular manner.<\/p>\n

“Although workshops will have to ensure their activities don\u2019t cause environmental harm, they will no longer need a licence. This will result in a saving of $1545.50 in annual fees and a no more annual returns or licence applications.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn fact, we have streamlined the approvals process for all environmentally relevant activities saving on average $20,000 in application costs, 150 pages of paperwork and 68 days of processing time. This will help businesses such as small feedlots, printers, boilermakers, powder coaters, concretors and cabinetmakers,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom March 31, more than 9400 small business operators will no longer need to apply for a licence or pay an application fee, and no longer need to submit an annual return.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese changes will save small businesses more than $6 million in annual fees, and will let them get on with what they do best … contributing to the economy and generating jobs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of our biggest reforms has been increasing the payroll tax exemption threshold to $1.1 million this financial year, the first step in our six-year commitment to increase the threshold to $1.6 million.”<\/p>\n

The OBPR Final Report identifies a range of priority areas, including 10 fast-track reforms and eight medium-term priorities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Newman Government will consider the OBPR\u2019s Final Report before responding to it, but we have already committed to adopting the majority of the report\u2019s 50 recommendations,\u201d Mrs Frecklington said.<\/p>\n

\u201cImportantly, the Newman Government has already started on its regulatory reform agenda, with more than 300 red-tape reduction initiatives implemented or underway.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs part of these reforms, departments are now required to submit Regulatory Impact Statements for an assessment of their adequacy before releasing them for consultation.<\/p>\n

\u201cMinisters are also now required to propose up to three options to reduce or \u2018off-set\u2019 regulatory burdens when bringing forward any proposals that impose a new regulation or procedure on small business.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Final Report recommends a Whole-of-Government Regulatory Management System, with each Minister to be responsible for reform in their departments.<\/p>\n

\u201cMinisters will be allocated a red tape reduction target for their portfolio,\u201d Mrs Frecklington said.<\/p>\n