23 January 2024 | Media Release
PRODUCTIVITY GAINS THROUGH REGULATORY REDESIGN
A core component of the advocacy work undertaken by the Toowoomba Chamber over the past 12 months has been the ongoing request to re-introduce the productivity commission and enhance the role of the Queensland Small Business Commissioner.
Simply put, the Toowoomba Chamber advocacy has been strong in seeking productivity gains through regulatory redesign. One component of this advocacy work was seeking reintroduction of the productivity commission, to report to government on critical matters which impact on business. Another component was for the Queensland Small Business Commissioner, to play an integral role in recommending to government the removal unnecessary government administration and red tape and improvements to government processes.
Todd Rohl, Chief Executive Officer said, “Our members regularly raise concerns about excessive and unnecessarily complex red tape in areas such as permits, industrial relations, compliance, and the like, which are negatively impacting their business and restricting business confidence.
“Include inefficiently implemented and inconsistently enforced regulations, the cost burden on business has increased dramatically, adding to the costs of delivering services and products which directly contributes to the cost of doing business and cost of living crisis, in Toowoomba, Queensland, and the nation.
“The recent announcement by the new Queensland Government reintroducing the Productivity Commission, effectively implemented, will be a win for business.
“We congratulate the new Government, on utilising this independent tool, to restore productivity oversight, a key factor in driving economic prosperity.
“Further, the Toowoomba Chamber welcomed yesterday’s announcement, broadening the role of the Queensland Small Business Commissioner.
“We urge the Government to include in the Commissioners charter a mechanism to independently interrogate and recommend to government the removal of excessive, unnecessarily complex regulation, and red tape across government agencies and regulation improvements and amendments.
“This will be another important tool which will enhance small business confidence in government by ensuring the unnecessary and not required regulations are stopped, regulations are improved, all with the appropriate level of independent oversight.
Toowoomba Chamber Advocating for Productivity Gains
“The Toowoomba Chamber also seeks direct funding of regional and rural Chamber of Commerce’s and like associations to implement programs to address rural and regional small business barriers, develop strategies to support rural and regional small business gaps, growth and their future needs.
“It is our view, Chamber of Commerce’s and like associations, are best placed to connect with business, implement business programs, and to report directly to government on rural and regional business matters.
“The Toowoomba Chamber looks forward to working with all levels of government to continue to advocate for these matters and other business subjects aligned to our Toowoomba Region Business Priorities, developed with key interest groups and our members”, expressed Todd.
