The Senate agreed today to launch an inquiry into red tape.
To be led by Liberal Democrats Senator David Leyonhjelm, the Senate Select Committee will provide a rare overview of how red tape imposed on us by three levels of government affects our economy and impacts on our lives.
Senator Leyonhjelm says the inquiry will take a fresh look at how much bureaucratic oversight we really need.
“There are nearly 500 bodies involved in policy design at the commonwealth level alone, and many of them are red tape factories,” Senator Leyonhjelm said. “This would help explain why Australian businesses and individuals are now burdened by over 30,000 different licenses, permits and approvals.
“This mindset also helps explain why construction of the Roy Hill iron ore mine required 4147 licences, permits and approvals, and why it costs $10,000 and 847 hours of training to become a hairdresser in NSW,” he said.
One study by the Institute of Public Affairs estimates red tape costs us more than $176 billion in foregone economic output annually.
Senator Leyonhjelm said public submissions will be called for later this year.
“I encourage members of the public to think about making submissions to the inquiry, because this will help to guide the direction of the hearings that will start next year.”
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Contact Gavin Atkins at Senator Leyonhjelm’s office on 0448 164 844.
