The Red Tape Blow-Out

Mr Chaney, who is president of the Business Council of Australia, said businesses in WA and elsewhere were drawn to lobbyists because of the prevalence of government red tape and duplication between the states and commonwealth, which was costing Australia as much as $10 billion a year. “I think people see a need for lobbyists because of the frustrations they often have in dealing with people in authority – none of which excuses crossing the line into less than professional behaviour,” he said. “The BCA has pointed out red tape has become a huge issue in Australia; there is duplication of regulation between the states and the commonwealth for a start. In addition, we live in an overregulated society that no doubt was the cause of some people feeling they have to go off to lobbyists, because of the cost and frustration of getting anything done.”

Quote from Michael Chaney in article titled ‘Minority Sullying Good Name of Perth: Chaney’ by Andrew Burrell, The Australian Financial Review, 28 March 2007, p. 12.