Rockliff government declares war on ‘unnecessary, burdensome’ legislation and regulations

The Tasmanian government will set aside parliamentary sitting days specifically to repeal “burdensome” legislation and regulations which are an obstacle to business, Eric Abetz says.

Leader of the House Eric Abetz and TCCI CEO Michael Bailey. Picture: Supplied

The state government has declared war on “unnecessary and burdensome” legislation, vowing to reduce the number of restrictions imposed on citizens and setting aside days in parliament for the specific purpose of repealing laws and regulations.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced the plan in his annual State of the State address last week, saying that ministers and regulators would now also be required to remove a piece of legislation or a regulation for every new one they created.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Question Time on Tuesday, Leader of the House, Eric Abetz, said the Liberals’ small government agenda would enable business to flourish in Tasmania.

Leader of the House Eric Abetz and TCCI CEO Michael Bailey. Picture: Supplied

Mr Abetz, who is also the Minister for Transport, Business and Industry, said Tasmania had the highest number of “legislative restrictions” in Australia on a per capita basis at 74 per 1000 people.

“Like keeping a good house, you clean it, and the very next day there’ll be a speck of dust,” he said.

“But even if you do keep a very clean house, it doesn’t obviate the need for a spring clean every now and then.

“And that is exactly what we’re doing with the announcement of the Premier at the State of the State address that there is a need for a deeper dive, a spring clean, to see what else we can get rid of in the legislative and regulatory framework to ensure that our businesses can be at their very best, and as a result, deliver the social benefits that they provide to our fellow Tasmanians.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Abetz said the Office of Parliamentary Counsel had begun work to identify legislation and regulations that could either be amended or repealed altogether.

More than 40 preliminary acts and regulations have been targeted for removal by the government, including administrative legislation that is three decades old.

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Michael Bailey said the cost of doing business in the state had increased in recent years, therefore making administrative fees and paperwork more onerous.

“It will be the layers of red tape that make it most expensive for businesses,” he said.

“And that’s what they tell us. They know they need to comply but quite often it’s administration and compliance that’s really the most important thing for them.

“So [this] review will be really important. We’re looking forward to being a part of that and supporting other sectors to be involved, as well.”

Originally published as Rockliff government declares war on ‘unnecessary, burdensome’ legislation and regulations