Page 3556 - Week 11 - Thursday, 23 October 2014
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other than being a poor attempt. We look forward to the next red tape reduction bill hopefully being a little bit more substantive in its impact for small business but, need I say, we will not be holding our breath.
MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Chief Minister, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Health and Minister for Higher Education) (11.38): I will be closing the debate as responsibility for red tape and regulatory focus has moved into my portfolio responsibilities. I acknowledge the contributions to the debate from those who have spoken before me. The ACT government has an ongoing commitment to reduce red tape and the efforts of the regulatory reform panel to identify regulations that impose unnecessary burdens, costs or disadvantage on business activity within the territory, This bill reflects the work of the panel to date and demonstrates the government’s willingness to work with industry to improve the business environment in the ACT.
The government has always acknowledged the importance of regulatory reform and regulatory reduction in stopping inefficient and ineffective regulatory outcomes. The bill proposes amendments to a number of acts and regulations to reduce red tape for business and the community—in particular, for the establishment of outdoor dining facilities on public unleased land, extensions of certain licensing periods, business signage requirements and removing duplication of statutory declarations when lodging deeds of power of attorney.
Specifically the bill will amend the following 16 acts and regulations: Casino Control Act 2006, Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010, Gaming Machine Act 2004, Hawkers Act 2003, Magistrates Court (Fair Trading and Motor Vehicle Repair Industry Infringement Notices) Regulation 2012, Magistrates Court (Sale of Motor Vehicles Infringement Notices) Regulation 2005, Pawnbrokers Act 1902, Planning and Development Regulation 2008, Public Unleased Land Act 2013, Race and Sports Bookmaking Act 2001, Registration of Deeds Act 1957, Sale of Motor Vehicles Act 1977, Second-hand Dealers Act 1906, Second-hand Dealers Regulation 2002, Security Industry Act 2003, and Tobacco Act 1927.
In relation to key aspects of the bill, the outdoor dining covered in the bill provides for a simplified and streamlined approval mechanism for outdoor dining areas for businesses such as restaurants and cafes on public unleased land. The bill will allow businesses intending to place semi-fixed objects in outdoor dining areas to apply for a permit under the Public Unleased Land Act rather than having to go through a DA process. Applications for permits will be assessed by the Office of Regulatory Services. As defined in the bill, semi-fixed objects are objects that may be locked down or bolted into the ground or pavement or attached to a permanent building by a socket, a sleeve or a bracket that are able to be disconnected or removed within 48 hours as well as returning that place to the condition it was immediately before the object was installed. An example of this is an umbrella that could be removed within 48 hours and the area could be restored within 48 hours to its original condition. On the other hand a concrete barrier is not likely to be restored within 48 hours to the original condition.
As to extension of licence periods, the bill will amend the Casino Control Act and the Race and Sports Bookmaking Act to extend licence periods from two to three years. These amendments are in response to a recommendation from the panel which found
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