6. H V ROSS ROBERTSON (Labour—Manukau East) Link to this
to the Minister of Commerce
What progress has been made on the Quality Regulation Review?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL (Minister of Commerce) Link to this
Excellent progress. The first milestone report has confirmed New Zealand’s regulatory environment is in good shape. However, the forums and sector interviews in particular have raised some specific concerns that the Government is committed to addressing. Cabinet has also signed off on a strengthened regulatory impact analysis process, which will be in place by the beginning of April next year.
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
Cabinet has directed Government departments to report back to Ministers by the end of the year on workable solutions in a number of areas, including the removal of duplicated or overlapping regulatory requirements, the provision of tailored information to meet the needs of business when dealing with regulation, the design of “safe harbour” provisions for business, and more rigorous risk analysis when developing and enforcing laws. Business has welcomed this approach to identifying and resolving barriers to growth.
Rodney HideIf this Government is so proud of its Quality Regulation Review, why has it banned Labour MPs from fronting up to meetings to be held tomorrow lunchtime here in Wellington, on Thursday in Auckland, and on Friday in Christchurch, organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants, to debate red tape in general and my Regulatory Responsibility Bill in particular—which is before this Parliament—or is it that the Government does not have the confidence to engage in debate on this issue before a business audience?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
I am not aware of anyone being banned from attending those meetings.