Video conference with Key Personnel from Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

The Federal Government has adopted a stewardship approach to regulation where ministers, secretaries and agency heads are responsible for ensuring the regulations and regulatory approaches under their authority are fit for purpose.

The Government launched this month a new guide for commonwealth regulators to remind these entities that while they may be operationally independent of government, they must meet government expectations.

In line with this, the guide sets out three principles of regulator best practice which entities can apply in a way that best fits their organisation.

The Hon Ben Morton MP, the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, said the Regulator Performance Guide is a key part of the government’s deregulation agenda, and would lift the performance, capability and culture of regulators.

“This new guide is a part of our broader work to increase accountability, promote best practice, support cultural change and build the professionalism of regulators. It will also streamline regulator performance reporting against these expectations,” he said.

The government has adopted a stewardship approach to regulation where ministers, secretaries and agency heads are responsible for ensuring the regulations and regulatory approaches under their authority are fit for purpose. In line with this, the guide sets out three principles of regulator best practice which entities can apply in a way that best fits their organisation.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, held a zoom session on the Government’s Deregulation Agenda and new Regulator Performance Guidelines with the Head of the Deregulation Taskforce, Jason McDonald and Assistant Secretary of the Regulatory Policy Branch in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Sandra Roussel.

At this zoom session, Jason provided an update on the priority areas of the deregulation agenda, which include: improving occupational mobility, streamlining overlapping regulations and modernising business communications.

Sandra spoke to the newly published Regulator Performance Guide which applies from 1 July 2021 and expectations of regulators moving forward.