The Federal Government has announced it will host a new Business Advisory Forum, with CEO’s from the nation’s largest companies joining state, territory and Federal leaders to advise on deregulation.

 

The Federal Government has announced the forum as part of an ongoing attempt to cut red tape, a goal Prime Minister Julia Gillard says is a key priority of her government, saying that excessive regulation compounds business costs and hinders productivity.

 

Senior business figures on this Forum will have two main roles:

  • To advise Governments on how best to coordinate and progress the remaining areas of competition and regulatory reform; and
  • To nominate new areas of regulatory reform that will help lift productivity and drive investment, therefore growing businesses and creating new jobs.

 

Small business will also be directly represented on the Forum, given smaller firms often disproportionately feel the impact of regulatory burdens.

 

The forum will form part of the 27 areas of priority for reducing red tape as outlined by the COAG in 2008.

 

The Prime Minister will chair the Forum and its inaugural meeting will be held on 12 April 2012 prior to the next meeting of the Council of Australian Governments.

 

The Prime Minister has written to all State and Territory Premiers and Chief Ministers and will shortly write to business figures, inviting them to participate.

 

The Forum is supported by the Business Council of Australia. The BCA will prepare submissions for the Forum based on consultations with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and all state-based Chambers of Commerce.