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Liberals To Cut Red Tape Strangling Rural Victoria

The Liberal Party has listened to the plight of country Victorians, today unveiling its plans to slash red tape currently strangling rural business.

By Philip Davis - 4th March 2005 - Back to News

Shadow Minister for Country Victoria, Philip Davis said the Cutting Red Tape on Small Business policy was good news for country Victorians who have long suffered from increasing rules and regulations inhibiting the running of their businesses.

A Liberal Government will establish a Victorian Regulatory Reform Commission which will, as a priority, draw up legislative plans to either scrap regulations or reform them to ease the burden on small business.

These regulations include:

• Child Employment Act 2003: Forces family business owners, including farmers, to undergo a police check before young relatives, friends and neighbours can help out in the family business. It is ridiculous to suggest farmers should have to go through such rigmarole before allowing children to help feed the animals or participate in every day workings of a farm.

• Removal of Native Vegetation: The planning scheme that makes farmers to seek written permission before removing rabbit warrens located near native vegetation is a complete waste of time. Forcing farmers to fill out more paperwork and wait for permission to eradicate one of the worst environmental pests on the mainland is bureaucracy gone mad.

• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004: This legislation has allowed union representatives the unlimited right of entry to small businesses, including farms. Many farming properties throughout country Victoria operate not only as a business but also the family home where the paperwork is completed and kept in a home office. The Bracks Government has given unions power to enter private homes without prior notice.

• Seafood Safety Act 2003: The increased cost and sloppy implementation of licensing fees has sent many aquaculture businesses to the wall. New requirements, fees and audits for those selling live produce to the restaurant trade have resulted in many businesses becoming unviable. The new laws have been so destructive due to a lack of industry consultation before implementation.

Mr Davis the new Victorian Regulatory Reform Commission would advise a Liberal Government on unnecessary regulations currently crushing small businesses throughout country Victoria.

"Country Victorians do not want to be bothered with mountains of paperwork and never ending demands of compliance from the Bracks Government that are not only time consuming but also costly, while they are trying to go about their every day work," he said.

"The Liberal Party is listening to country Victoria and will act to reduce the amount of red tape currently strangling small business."

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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