[ Originally Published 22 May 2006 ]
Short Description
The Labour-led government is taking its economic transformation agenda to a new level in a broad review of regulation, Commerce Minister Lianne Dalziel said.
Author
Hon Lianne Dalziel, Minister of Commerce
The Labour-led government is taking its economic transformation agenda to a new level in a broad review of regulation, Commerce Minister Lianne Dalziel said.
In unveiling details of the Review, Lianne Dalziel said it will:
- introduce fast-track mechanisms for change;
- make life easier for business where multiple regulatory frameworks intersect;
- improve government's own processes for monitoring the impact of regulations; and
- conduct sector studies, starting with food and beverage, wine, retailing and hospitality.
"The framework of the review is horizontal, vertical, fast-track and in-depth. In other words it's dynamic," said Lianne Dalziel.
A Ministerial Group for Quality Regulation has been established to carry out the review. An inter-departmental Quality Regulation Taskforce, which meets for the first time this week, will drive the whole-of-government aspects of the review.
"Nothing of this magnitude has been attempted before but this is a government that has an appetite for working with business to address its concerns, while ensuring that quality regulatory frameworks support New Zealand's international reputation as a quality investment and business destination," Lianne Dalziel said.
"New Zealand already leads the World Bank "Doing Business" survey, however, we can do better and this exercise is about a continuous drive for quality in regulation. Nobody argues that there should be no regulation – this is a debate about quality. As both Minister of Commerce and Minister for Small Business I have a unique perspective to bring to this review because I know that there are differences between the big and small ends of town," Lianne Dalziel said.
The Quality Regulation Taskforce has been given the job of addressing some of the immediate concerns that have been raised in certain sectors, such as some of the rules in the gaming sector and issues that have been raised around transport rules. Another one is how well we enforce New Zealand standards at the border as products come into New Zealand.
"I am sure that businesses out there know of other instances where small adjustments would make a big difference and I want to know what they are.
"It is often the little things that matter most," she said.
Lianne Dalziel said she hoped the debate would move beyond a simplistic argument about the place of regulation and move to focus on removing barriers to economic growth, supported by quality regulation.
"Everyone knows we need rules – we just want to make sure they are the right rules. I will know we have achieved success when people say that given the importance of quality regulation to a successful and well-functioning economy, the government has adopted the most appropriate framework and enforcement mechanism.
"As Finance Minister Michael Cullen said last week, we are committed to a regulatory environment that promotes economic growth, business confidence, globally competitive firms and social well-being."
The Labour-led government is also examining international best practice to see how it can improve its processes. This review will examine options for assessing the impact of policies more thoroughly at the start of the policy development process and it will examine calculators used in other countries to cost the impact of policies.
"We will also focus on the cumulative effect of regulation because in the same way that small things make a big difference, it's often not one regulation that is difficult or time-consuming, it's the combined weight – we all know the story of the straw that broke the camel's back," said Lianne Dalziel.
"I have asked officials to work with the Law Commission and the Legislation Advisory Committee to develop regulatory and statutory tools to "fast-track" changes as required.
"People who run or work in SMEs are busy people and the purpose of this review is to ensure that they spend as much time on their business as they can. Getting on with business is about the relationship the government needs to have with business and it is about the government getting its own house in order so that businesses can get on with it too.
"I truly believe that New Zealand is not just a great place to live in – it's a great place to do business and a great place to invest," said Lianne Dalziel.
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