The Labor Government’s carbon tax is creating so much new regulation bureaucrats have been forced to meet monthly to keep on top of it.
The Office of Best Practice Regulation usually meets with government departments and agencies on an “as required” basis, but when it comes to the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, the OBPR has had to set up regular monthly meetings to deal with all the new red tape being introduced.
According to officials from the OBPR, “given the breadth of regulatory activity undertaken by that Department, both at the Commonwealth level and through COAG” regular meetings have been required. This information was revealed in response to a question on notice asked at the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee’s Budget Estimates.
“No wonder business confidence is low and small business is crying out for a break. When bureaucrats have to meet each month just to keep on top of the Government’s carbon tax red tape, what hope is there for business?” Shadow Parliamentary for Small Business and Fair Competition Senator Scott Ryan said.
“Cutting emissions is a noble cause, but it shouldn’t be accompanied by a huge regulatory burden on small and medium businesses that are already fighting to keep their heads above water.”
In the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency’s 2011-2012 regulatory plan, it outlined seven different areas where new regulation would be required, ranging from the carbon price to energy efficient building guidelines and minimum standards for energy efficient equipment (Source: Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Annual Regulatory Plan 2011-12).
“The Coalition feels for businesses facing a constantly growing regulatory burden, that is why we have promised to cut $1 billion of red tape compliance costs each year. The Coalition Deregulation Taskforce, led by Senator Arthur Sinodinos, is continuing to work to find red tape cuts across a range of industries,” Senator Ryan said.