The Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association (PACIA) has expressed concern at the lack of meaningful progress relating to chemicals and plastics regulatory reform under the National Partnership Agreement to Deliver a Seamless National Economy.
In February 2006, The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) identified chemicals and plastics as a ‘hotspot’ in the National Reform Agenda and established a ministerial taskforce to drive the reform of chemicals and plastics regulation. The objective of the reform package was to reduce the compliance burden in the regulation of chemicals and plastics, while maintaining appropriate occupational health and safety, public health and environmental protections.
According to the COAG Reform Council report released today titled Seamless National Economy: Report on Performance the key 2010–11 milestone for ministerial councils to complete reforms in line with implementation plans has not been completed. The Commonwealth is yet to complete three of the ‘early harvest’ reforms and a number of other jurisdictions have failed to complete key milestones according to the original agreement.
PACIA’s Chief Executive Margaret Donnan said “it is time to relight the fire under the ‘hotspot’ productivity reforms for chemicals and plastics”.
“The Commonwealth health portfolio in particular is dragging the chain, having failed to provide COAG with an updated implementation plan; and industry is seeking meaningful action”.
“At a time when Australian manufacturing is already under significant pressure, the reforms themselves are critical in lowering costs for industry in Australia and securing a range of economic, environmental and social benefits for the wider community”.
“By reducing regulatory complexity and removing barriers to innovation we enable the local industry to do what it does best; creating jobs and providing product and service solutions across the spectrum of the Australian economy”.
“This problem needs strong political leadership to be resolved. We call on the Commonwealth government to demonstrate that leadership and to reinstitute the role of Commonwealth Minister Assisting on Deregulation that was dropped in the most recent Ministerial reshuffle”, Ms. Donnan said.
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John Osborn, Director of Marketing & Communications, 0417 997 774.