The NSW Government has asked IPART to review licences in NSW and identify those licences where reform would produce the greatest reduction in costs to business and the community. There are currently about 1,000 different types of licences in NSW. They cover every aspect of the economy – including trades and professions, transport and motor vehicles, environmental protection, health, education, liquor, gaming and recreational activities, to name just some areas.
IPART has recently released an Issues Paper, which discusses key questions for our review. It has also recently released a short on-line survey for licence holders.
IPART is seeking your input to identify licence reform priorities to reduce red tape. In particular, we are seeking information on licences that are unnecessary, have excessive requirements or are poorly administered. Your feedback will ensure that recommendations achieve the best possible outcomes.
IPART is encouraging you to make a submission in response to the Issues Paper. Our Issues Paper is available at: http://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/Home/Industries/Regulation_Review/Reviews/Licence_Design/Licence_Rationale_and_Design. Submissions to the Issues Paper can be made through the website or by emailing LicenceReform@ipart.nsw.gov.au.
In addition (or as an alternative to making a submission), you can complete a short on-line survey on your licensing experiences. The link to the survey is http://haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/redtape-licence-review.
In addition to the survey and Issues Paper, IPART has also released a draft framework and guide, which is intended to be used by regulators when developing their new licences or reviewing existing licences. This has been developed by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and is also available on the website with the Issues Paper (see first link above). Through submissions to the Issues Paper, IPART is keen to receive feedback on how effectively the framework and guide can be applied.
Submissions to the Issues Paper and responses to the short on-line survey for licence holders are due by 12 December, 2012.
If you have any questions about the Issues Paper, the licence survey, or PwC’s draft framework and guide, please email LicenceReform@ipart.nsw.gov.au or call 02 9113 7769.
