Auditor-General calls for increased focus on red tape

Statement from Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Mark Stone
 
The Victorian Chamber welcomes the release of the Victorian Auditor-General’s Report on reducing the burden of red tape, which was tabled in Parliament this week.
 
The Victorian Chamber has long championed the cause of red tape reduction, most recently in our 2016-17 State Budget Submission.
 
The Auditor General’s recommendations echo the calls of the Victorian Chamber to increase the level of public reporting on red tape reduction initiatives and to engage with businesses and the community to identify red tape priorities.
 
The report notes that a number of positive practices are being demonstrated by regulators and government agencies, including a sustained focus on red tape reduction; more rigorous assessments of the impact of red tape cuts and improvements in consultation.
 
However, the report also found that more needs to be done to understand how the red tape burden is changing in response to Victoria’s evolving economy, better assess whether past reforms have delivered on their objectives and engage more widely on red tape initiatives across government.
 
The Victorian Chamber will continue to work with the Government, the Red Tape Commissioner and the Commissioner for Better Regulation to reduce the burden of regulation on Victorian business.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, established in 1851, is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

victorianchamber.com.au

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