Better Regulation

Removing red tape is just one part of the State Government program.

Measures are also being taken to ensure new rules and regulations do not become a future burden on business and the broader community.

REGULATORY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

A Better Regulation Handbook has been issued to all agencies so they can follow best practice principles in reviewing and designing government regulation.

Use of the handbook is mandatory. Agencies are guided through the regulation process and must consider the various advantages and disadvantages of their proposals before selecting the best option to achieve their goals.

The Better Regulation Handbook also helps agencies develop a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) which must accompany any new proposals submitted to Cabinet.

A RIS is required whenever a regulatory policy proposal might have a significant business, environmental, family or social impact. Agencies must also consult with stakeholders when preparing the statement.

The bottom line is that the proposal must demonstrate that the benefits outweigh the costs.

The new requirements came into effect on 1 June 2011.

As of 1 December 2011 agencies are required to publish the RIS on this site once a regulatory proposal has been approved. Follow the links below to see the relevant RIS.

Food Variation Regulations 2012

business cost calculator

A Business Cost Calculator helps agencies assess the cost to business of complying with any new regulation.

South Australia was the first state to adopt this Federal Government initiative which offers a standardised approach to deliver more transparency and accountability in the regulatory process.

offsets strategy

The program to maintain a competitive environment for business is also supported by an offsets strategy.

New regulation is often necessary but the overall benefits to the community must be sufficient to justify the regulation.

Any new costs imposed on business that have not been properly justified must be offset by red tape reduction savings elsewhere. The mechanism for doing this is to increase the agency's overall red tape reduction target by a similar amount.

This helps ensure that agencies are mindful of achieving best practice when developing new rules and regulations, and holds them accountable to any new regulatory burden that has not been justified.