Business Regulation

Over the past two decades, Australia’s commitment to free markets and the winding back of red tape that inhibits competition has helped businesses, both large and small, prosper.

Regulation is necessary to make sure the interests of business, the community and consumers are protected. However, there must be a high level of confidence among business and the wider community that there is a real need for new regulation, that what is being proposed will be effective, and that regulations will not impose costs that are out of line with their expected benefits.

Business must also have confidence that its views will be sought and considered in an effective and timely way when new legislation and regulation is proposed.

Political parties must articulate a clear commitment to improved regulatory processes to avoid the introduction of unnecessary regulation and to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of regulation that is introduced.

The creation of a seamless economy, with a single set of rules for all Australian businesses, will be pivotal for productivity and economic growth.

In March 2008 the BCA released Towards a Seamless Economy: Modernising the Regulation of Australian Business, which called for the timely institution of a single set of rules for all businesses Australia-wide.

BCA Secretariat contact: Leanne Edwards, Assistant Director, Regulatory Affairs

Federal–State Relations

Intergovernmental collaboration is central to Australia’s economic and social prosperity.
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