Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to incorporate into Hansard answers to a question of me by Senator Payne yesterday in my capacity representing the Prime Minister.

Leave granted.

The answer read as follows—

Senator PAYNE (New South Wales) (14:43): My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Evans. Given the government's self-proclaimed commitment to deregulation and improving productivity, can the minister guarantee that the 12 crucial COAG seamless national economy reforms that are currently at risk of not being completed on time will, in fact, be completed by December this year, as promised?

Senator CHRIS EVANS (Western Australia—Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:44): I thank Senator Payne for her question. She raises the very important issue of the deregulation agenda of COAG. I will have to take part of the question on notice in the sense of getting an update on the progress of each of the 12 key reforms …

The COAG Reform Council (CRC) report released on 3 February noted that good progress has been made on COAG's 27 deregulation priorities, and that 15 priority reforms had been implemented—including one ahead of schedule.

I am pleased to say that since the CRC report was released, Personal Properties Securities reform commenced operation on 30 January 2012—taking the number of implemented reforms to 16.

The CRC report stated that across the 27 deregulation priorities—22 reforms are travelling well. The report raised concerns about some priority reforms which are delayed and where the outcome may be at risk - these are important reforms such as national occupational health and safety laws, trades licensing and directors'

As a reflection of the economic importance of the national regulatory reform agenda, the Commonwealth has set aside $450 million in reward payments to be provided to the States and Territories, on the delivery of agreed reform outcomes.

The Australian Government is committed to leading the national regulatory reform agenda through COAG, and will continue to work with all States and Territories to drive accountabilities and ensure that the States deliver on their reform commitments in a full and timely manner. Further, the COAG Business Advisory Forum, announced by the Prime Minister, will provide an avenue for business to raise its concerns on progress in delivering these reforms more directly with governments.