“For the first time in history, the Abbott Government is dedicating two days of Parliament each year to removing red tape. On the Spring Red Tape Repeal Day, nearly 1,000 pieces of legislation and regulation totalling over 7,200 pages will be removed,” Said Mr Hawke.
“We have listened to the concerns in our community about the burden of red tape in Australia. Whether it is small business owners, local community groups or hard working individuals, the message is the same – please make things simpler.”
As a result of recent red tape reductions, nearly half a million small businesses are now exempt from pay-as-you-go requirements and around 1.4 million myTax users will be able to use pre-populated income tax returns, saving countless hours and costs.
Access to government services is now much simpler, with seven services (including Medicare and Centrelink) now accessible through one myGov username and password.
There is practical red tape relief across the board, from one-stop-shops for environmental approvals for major projects, to hire companies no longer needing to register concrete mixers as “vehicles”.
The Government promised to reduce more than $1 billion of red and green tape each year and we have more than doubled our target, removing over $2.1 billion of compliance costs, Mr Hawke said.
For further information, you can visit www.cuttingredtape.gov.au to find summaries of all the new initiatives and to pass on your suggestions.
