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Performance benchmarking of Australian business regulation: Role of local government as regulator

Commissioned study

This study has concluded. The final report was sent to Government on 4 July 2012 and was released on 18 July 2012.

The Australian Government, with the agreement of COAG's Business Regulation and Competition Working Group, had requested that the Productivity Commission undertake a benchmarking study into the role of local government as a regulator. This study was the fourth in a series of reviews benchmarking Australian business regulatory burdens.

In undertaking this study, the Productivity Commission was requested to benchmark the extent to which particular approaches to the exercise of regulatory responsibilities by local government authorities affects costs incurred by business and specifically to:

  • identify the scope of local government regulatory responsibilities in each state and territory
  • clarify the extent to which the local government role includes implementing policies of national and state/territory governments
  • assess whether different responsibilities and the approach taken to their exercise has a material impact on business costs
  • identify best practices which have the capacity to reduce unnecessary regulatory costs for business.

The study developed indicators to benchmark the performance of jurisdictions and facilitate regulatory improvements, and drew upon leading practice approaches both across Australia and overseas.

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Please note: The draft report is for research purposes only. For final outcomes of this study refer to the research report.

Draft report (PDF - 8019 Kb)