The NSW Government is taking action to ensure that regulations are effective in achieving their objectives and do not impose unnecessary burdens on business and the community. Cutting red tape is a priority under the State Plan, A New Direction for NSW.

We are avoiding new red tape through a comprehensive gatekeeping process which sets a quality standard for regulations. All regulatory proposals must be developed in accordance with the better regulation requirements set out in the Guide to Better Regulation. The Better Regulation Office is working to ensure the requirements are followed.

We are removing red tape in existing regulations by conducting targeted reviews into specific regulatory areas and undertaking an Internal Government Red Tape Review. The NSW Government has also committed to reduce red tape by $500 million by June 2011.

Our progress is reported through an Annual Update on regulatory performance and six-monthly reports on implementing recommendations from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s (IPART) Investigation into the Burden of Regulation and Improving Regulatory Efficiency.

The NSW Government is also helping to drive national regulatory reforms through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). The COAG Business Regulation and Competition Working Group has developed an extensive and broad ranging reform agenda which will deliver significant benefits across Australia.

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