Regulation and its review 1998-99

There has been an overall improvement in compliance with best practice regulatory requirements by Government departments and agencies, according to a Productivity Commission report released today. But the Commission found further room for improvement in providing Regulation Impact Statements for early consideration of primary legislation by decision makers.

The report — Regulation and its Review 1998-99 — forms part of the Commission's annual report series of publications and meets its obligation to report annually on compliance with the Commonwealth's requirements for the making and review of regulations. The aim of Regulation Impact Statements is to ensure regulatory action is well informed and achieves intended goals, while minimising any burden on business and the community. The Commission's Office of Regulation Review provides training and advice to all departments and agencies on the best practice requirements, and monitors compliance.

This year's report contains for the first time information on the compliance rates for individual agencies, as well as in aggregate.

Chairman of the Productivity Commission, Gary Banks, said "implementing the Government's best practice regulatory requirements has been a learning process for all concerned. While there is still some way to go, the better overall compliance is a positive sign and reflects greater familiarity with the process and improved expertise within agencies".

In addition, Regulation and its Review reports on two Council of Australian Government programs which also aim to achieve better regulatory outcomes. These are: national competition policy reviews of existing Commonwealth legislation which restricts competition; and proposals being considered by Ministerial Councils and national standard-setting bodies.

Background information

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