The project provides a unique opportunity for horticulture businesses to identify regulatory and administrative burdens that are impeding their capacity to enter new markets, innovate and expand. The Government’s reform efforts will be focused on changes that make a material improvement to businesses’ day-to-day operations.
The project will involve collaboration with the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Innovation and Science and the Western Australian Local Government Association, to target regulatory burden from all three levels of government.
More information on this project, and a link to an online survey, is available on the Department of Treasury website. Businesses that would like to participate in telephone interviews or take part in an on-site visit program to horticultural regions in the Perth metropolitan area, the South-West, Carnarvon and Kununurra can contact the project team at regulatorymapping@treasury.wa.gov.au
Treasurer Ben Wyatt argues that “Removing red tape and excessive regulatory burden on horticulture businesses will improve productivity and competitiveness in a priority sector of our economy. This is an important objective for the Government, as reflected in its Microeconomic Reform Agenda.
“Regulatory frameworks governing the horticulture industry must enable growth and innovation, so that local businesses and communities can maximise the opportunities from our high-quality produce and close proximity to expanding Asian markets.”
Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan agreed that “There is a great opportunity to grow and expand Western Australia’s valuable horticulture sector, currently worth nearly $1 billion, with land and water releases on the horizon and intensification, through protected cropping and advanced production techniques.
“We have sophisticated, innovative production systems that deliver safe, premium quality produce that puts WA in a great position to supply high value markets, particularly from nearby growing economies in Asia.
“The time is right to identify barriers and impediments to growth so that horticulture businesses can pursue new market opportunities that will generate more jobs and enhance the vitality of our regional communities.”
The Federal Small and Family Business and Deregulation Minister Craig Laundy welcomed the opportunity to work with the Western Australian Government on the 90-day project to make it simpler to do business in the horticulture industry.
“By working constructively across all three levels of government, we can make sure regulations governing how businesses go about their work are simplified, modernised and streamlined.
“Through the National Business Simplification Initiative, the Australian Government is committed to finding ways to make it easier to do business with government and also remove barriers to business growth.”
