Red Tape Reduction

The Hodgman Liberal Government is getting on with the job of reducing red tape in Tasmania.

There is a frightening amount of red tape in Tasmania that is a regrettable legacy of the former Government.

I’d like to thank the Member for Denison for asking me in Question Time for an update on the work we are doing reducing red tape.

Just a few of the examples to date include;

• We have commenced work on a streamlined Commonwealth and State environmental approval process, including;
• A bilateral agreement has been established between the State and the Commonwealth enabling the State to undertake the assessment of level 2 activities on behalf of the Commonwealth.
• A further bilateral agreement enabling the State to issue approvals on behalf of the Commonwealth has been drafted and is awaiting passage of an Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act amendment Bill through the Australian Parliament before it can commence.
• We have completed significant work which will allow the introduction of legislation later this year to create the framework for a single state wide planning scheme; which will streamline the amendment processes and shorten assessment times for development applications.
• We are in the process of conducting an appraisal of the integrity of the Heritage Register to ensure that only appropriate properties are included on the register moving forward
• We have introduced on-line purchasing of National Parks Passes
• We are reviewing the building regulatory framework to ensure that only relevant regulation is retained which will significantly reduce the cost of low risk developments such as farm buildings, carports and decks.
• We have amended the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act to allow councils to extend permits by an extra two years for substantial commencement, reducing the need for developers to reapply.
• We have extended the licencing from one year to five years for cultivating industrial hemp and we remain on track to introduce special purpose legislation for the cultivation of industrial hemp later this year, aligning the licensing under DPIPWE.
• We are working to significantly reduce the compliance burden associated with the WHS laws and regulations consistent with the findings of Safe Work Australia.
• We have introduced an online system of car registration to make this process easier for the wider community.
• We are working with the hospitality sector to reduce the duplication of information required to renew Gaming Licences and other permits and also extend the period of renewal.
• We are amending the Water Management Act to abolish the Assessment Committee for Dam Construction to provide a simpler, more streamlined approval process.
• We introduced the Residential Tenancy Amendment Bill 2015 to reduce the burden on property owners and the real estate industry, while not unduly disadvantaging tenants.
• We are liaising with reptile and bird importers to adopt a risk based assessment model without compromising biosecurity.
• We have over seen a reduction in licence fees for Employee Gaming licences and removal of the requirement for fingerprinting making it easier for people to work in the hospitality sector.
• We are Introducing a new Local Government Code that makes it optional to advertise and hold an AGM and reduces the advertising requirements for impounded animals.
• We are amending the Local Government Act to abolish the 29 individual code of conduct panels each council was required to have and establishing a single state-wide board of review for code of conduct complaints.
• We have repealed the Travel Agents Act 1987 to remove duplication of regulation in the industry now that Australian Consumer Law covers all consumers of goods and services including travel.
• We have amended the Childcare Act to remove duplication of requirements for workers in the industry that are captured by the Working with Vulnerable People Act.
• We are working to remove duplication and red tape around the community sector’s compliance reporting by recognising the national accreditation and reporting requirements for community and welfare organisations.
• We have removed the regulations in the Firearms Act prohibiting Paintball business operating in Tasmania in harmony with other jurisdictions.
• We have enabled private sector driving instructors to undertake assessment of students to progress to L2 learner driver status and we have abolished the requirement for drivers aged 75 and over to have a compulsory medical assessment by their GP annually.
• We have passed legislation to merge the Tasmanian Gaming Commission and the Licensing Board to form the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission.
• We have introduced legislation to amend the Crown Lands Act in order for crown land with or without a residential dwelling to be managed under the same terms by Ministers in order to achieve the best possible commercial arrangements.
• We are working with temporary food stall holders to streamline the current system of registration, and;
• There is a constant effort to refine government procurement policies in order to reduce the time and effort of both agencies and Tasmanian businesses in relation to Government procurement and tendering.

An on-line portal has also been developed on the website of the Office of the Coordinator-General, enabling businesses and the wider community to submit directly to the Red Tape Reduction Coordinator, details regarding red tape problems that they are currently experiencing. This portal is already having an impact with a range of businesses availing themselves of this link, from bakeries to quarries, to fruit growers, tourism operators, wildlife exhibitors and local corner stores.

We are delivering on our promise to cut red tape. Our goal is to make the Tasmanian business environment the best in the country, making it easier for businesses to decide to invest here and create jobs.
Matthew Groom, Minister for State Growth