PEAK employer organisation, the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(TCCI), says this week’s release of the Productivity Commission’s final report on
regulatory engagement with small business should provide the impetus for cutting
government red tape.
TCCI Chief Executive Michael Bailey said the study was a positive initiative and its
findings should provide further support for the new Federal Government’s
deregulation agenda, particularly relating to small business, as well as encourage
the Tasmanian Government to deliver on its promise of cutting red and green tape.
“While minimum effective regulation can meet legitimate economic and social
objectives it is vital that it does so in a way that appropriately balances the costs of
regulation against its potential benefits,” Mr Bailey said.
“It is clear from the Productivity Commission’s report that this balance is not yet
being achieved.”
“The Productivity Commission report outlines that robust frameworks and regulator
culture are crucial to improving regulatory effectiveness. Changing these core
elements of regulatory systems is easier said than done and requires exacting
discipline from governments and greater transparency and accountability on the
part of regulators.
“Regulation imposes costs on business and these cost burdens are invariably
passed onto consumers and the broader economy in the form of higher prices.”
Mr Bailey said government regulation was strangling small business at every level.
“Bad regulation has a human cost for small business people; it is in the hundreds
of hours slumped over government forms, thousands of dollars wasted, and jobs
that could be created but aren’t.
“That’s why along with our members the TCCI was a major player in the national
pre-election Small Business. Too Big to Ignore campaign this year, and we will
continue to call on politicians of all persuasions and at all levels to work together
to cut down on the red tape and give small business a break.
“Our national body has already started working closely with the new Coalition
Government and relevant ministers to make this happen and the TCCI will continue
to push the State Government to deliver on its deregulation promises”, Mr Bailey
said.
The Productivity Commission Report is available online:
http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/study/small-business/report