Performance Benchmarking of Australian Business Regulation: OHS & Food Safety
Terms of reference
The following terms of reference were received as a letter from the Assistant Treasurer requesting the Commission to commence the second year of this continuing work program.
Mr Gary Banks AO
Chairman
Productivity Commission
GPO Box 1428
Canberra City ACT 2601
Dear Mr Banks
I am writing to you regarding the 2009 work plan for the Productivity Commission's Performance Benchmarking of Australian Business Regulation study.
In response to your request of 12 September 2008, this matter was raised at the 24 October 2008 Council of Australian Governments' Business Regulation and Competition Working Group (BRCWG) meeting.
The BRCWG:
- noted the merit in continuing the benchmarking work program
- agreed that occupational health and safety and food safety regulation should be considered by the Commission in year 2
- requested that the Commission complete the OH&S and food safety benchmarking reports by December 2009
- agreed to revisit the Commonwealth's future work plan in relation to the benchmarking study in 12 months time.
I would be grateful if you could undertake whatever action is necessary to fulfil the BRCWG's direction. The Commission may structure its work as it sees fit within the timeframe indicated above.
I have copied this letter to the Minister for Finance and Deregulation and the Minister Assisting the Finance Minister on Deregulation.
Chris Bowen
Assistant Treasurer
[Received 23 December 2008]