The Gillard Government today introduced legislation that will further reduce red tape for Australian businesses.
The Legislative Instruments Amendment (Sunsetting Measures) Bill 2012 will enable the quick and efficient repeal of around 12,000 regulations.
This is the first time such a major clean-up of regulations has been undertaken, Ms Roxon said.
We will now be able to repeal thousands of unnecessary regulations through this new streamlined process, rather than repealing them one by one.
A second set of amendments improves arrangements for the automatic repeal or sunsetting of regulations after 10 years, and enables a review of those regulations as part of that process.
Currently, sunset instruments must be reviewed strictly by regulation by regulation which can be cumbersome and confusing for affected businesses.
The Bill will encourage review of regulations in a more coherent way for example, by looking at regulations across a whole industry sector, Ms Roxon said.
This will make it simpler for both businesses and individuals.
The Bill implements recommendations from the Review of Pre-2008 Subordinate Legislation, and is consistent with the Productivity Commissions 2011 Report Identifying and Evaluating Regulation Reforms.
This legislation is a key part of the Governments regulatory reform agenda, Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Senator Penny Wong, said.
Reducing red tape will help Australian businesses be more productive, more efficient and more competitive.
Minister for Small Business, Brendan OConnor, said this Bill will be good for small business.
The Gillard Government is determined to create the environment in which small businesses not only survive, they thrive, Mr OConnor said.
We know that regulations impose significant responsibilities on small business but they are often complex and difficult to understand.
The measures in this Bill, including reforms to the requirements for explanatory material, will make it easier for small business to understand their regulatory responsibilities and have a say in how regulations are made, Mr OConnor said.
This legislation is in addition to the Seamless National Economy regulatory reforms, the bulk of which will be completed by the end of 2012.