ANDREW Barr says the ACT Government will get out of the way and let businesses create more jobs and charities spend less time on administration under new cuts to red tape.

“Introduced today, the Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Bill will slash red tape across a range of areas, including for the University of Canberra, one of our largest employers,” Andrew said.

“Changes for UC will help it create more joint venture companies without having to seek government approval. By removing this unnecessary burden, these changes give the University more certainty to enter into joint ventures as it continues to develop its campus. This supports continued diversification of our economy by building on our strengths in higher education.

“These changes also mean the public can put their pens away by removing the requirement for a range of documents to be signed. Electronic communication will suffice in a range of circumstances, including complaints to government and applying for replacement of a lost or stolen Certificate of Accreditation for things like operating a taxi service. Offences will remain in force for making false statements maintaining the integrity of materials provided.”

The latest red tape reduction bill presents a range of amendments that reduce administration costs for businesses and individuals, including:

• easing the burden of operating joint ventures formed by University of Canberra, and obtaining approval to undertake campus development and other activities;
• streamlining the liquor license renewal processes;
• extending the period for submission of reports by agents regarding their new trust accounts;
• reducing reporting burdens related to charitable collection activities;
• removing the requirement for producing signed statutory declarations from several Acts;
• simplifying the submission of complaints to the ACT Government;
• simplifying the licence application process for the security industry;
• enabling certain advertising of lotteries, including exempt lotteries; and
• modernising fair trading legislation for motor vehicle sales.

“It will be simpler for charitable organisations to report on charitable-collection activities,” Andrew said.

“This Bill will enable incorporated associations that also hold charitable collections licenses to align reporting of charitable collections with their regular reporting activity. Charitable collection license holders do not have abundant resources but do great things for the community. Crucially, this Bill will lower administrative burden for them.

“The Bill brings ACT legislation in line with the developments in motor vehicle industry. High voltage batteries used for the propulsion of electric cars, including hybrid cars, will be classified as integral to the operation of vehicles for the purpose of warranties when selling motor vehicles. The definition of ‘accessories’ will also be updated to reflect new technologies, such as Bluetooth-enabled entertainment devices, and in-car navigation systems.

“For real estate and stock and station agents, liquor licensees and lottery providers there are also amendments to provide more flexible arrangements for administrative, advertising and reporting requirements to better fit their operational needs. While the security industry will see amendments to address an anomaly in the licensing process.

“This Red Tape Bill introduces new opportunities to ease the burden of starting and managing businesses in the ACT. The ACT Government is committed to ongoing reform that makes the Territory a great place to do business. I will continue to work with stakeholders on opportunities to reduce regulatory burden.”