Page 1863 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 8 June 2022
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
This reform will put in place best practice regulatory settings. It will ensure that the procurement framework remains fit for purpose and is achieving its objectives for SMEs in the Canberra region. It builds on initial work already undertaken by the government to support SME procurement. Earlier this year we produced a step-by-step guide for small and medium-sized businesses to guide them from start to finish through the process of supplying to ACT government, and we are working to update our Procurement ACT website with a supplier landing page.
Another significant component of the policy and legislation stream of the agenda is to ready the ACT for the commencement of automatic mutual recognition of occupational licensing. Reciprocal recognition of licences supports occupational mobility for interstate workers. As a cross-border community, automatic recognition of the occupational licences of workers registered in New South Wales will reduce barriers for ACT businesses so that they can quickly and easily onboard interstate workers. AMR will increase flexibility for business and individuals, delivering savings on registration fees, paperwork and time. Significant work has been undertaken by this government to bring more occupations into AMR in three weeks time, on 1 July 2022.
The policy and legislation stream of the Better Regulation Agenda also encompasses a major review of the night-time and entertainment economy. This sector has been significantly impacted by the pandemic. The hospitality and entertainment sectors make a significant contribution to the ACT’s economic recovery, its jobs market and the way of life for Canberrans. Business has raised concerns about how this sector is currently regulated. Concerns and feedback include noise management issues, the need for a more coordinated approach to approvals, a view that fees for differing scales of businesses are disproportionate, the need for better integration of policy, and clearer information on compliance requirements.
In response to these concerns, we will develop a night-time and entertainment economy regulatory quality framework approach. This will involve working with industry and across government to review the policy, legislative, regulatory and process requirements that frame the night-time and entertainment economy industries. This review will support the work underway to provide for a city entertainment precinct, which is being led by Minister Gentleman. It will ensure that regulatory settings for the sector are meeting their intended objectives efficiently and effectively in a complex and changing environment.
Finally, this policy and legislation stream of the Better Regulation Agenda will address several individual reform opportunities that have been raised with the task force and warrant consideration by government. For example, we will develop options to improve existing regulatory arrangements, including reviewing how statutory declarations and deeds are executed and reviewing model rules for incorporated associations. We will investigate ACT refresher training courses for interstate responsible service of alcohol certificate holders. We will review the licensing of employment agents, and we will review the options for the regulation of short-term rental accommodation. These reforms are the first lot of discrete but distinct issues that are important to address. We will, of course, continue to engage with businesses and regulators to identify other reform opportunities for our future work program.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video