Smarter Business Regulation

Some government regulations involve various agencies - overlap that can be a source of frustration for business and other users.

A concerted effort is now being made to remove any duplication under the Smarter Business Regulation Project (SBRP).

An SBRP task force has been examining the issues to improve coordination among agencies.

The initiative has been tested in a study of regulatory and administrative frameworks that govern marine aquaculture. A second project is looking at petroleum exploration.

NINE BEST PRACTICE PRINCIPLES

The study has identified nine best practice principles which have potential application for agencies in other sectors.

To gain full value from this contribution the Government is taking action to:

• Investigate ways to incorporate early referrals to avoid necessary time and expense for government and business
• Identify opportunities for cross agency collaboration prior to formal public consultation
• Avoid multiple assessments of proposals with similar risks through one coordinated process
• Identify opportunities for case management of applications to improve customer service, accountability and timelines
• Review the timing and sequence of existing processes to promote more meaningful engagement for a regulatory outcome
• Identify opportunities for agreements at the 'zone' or 'policy' level - rather than at an individual site level - if there is little risk
• Develop an evidence-based, mutually acceptable risk assessment framework to minimise duplication across agencies
• Identify ways for applications made to multiple agencies to be consolidated into a single application if appropriate
• Consider using exemptions to avoid duplicating obligations on licence holders where more than one authorisation is required

A copy of the full report Integrated Assessments - Aquaculture Case Study is available here.