Answers to Questions

RED TAPE REDUCTION PLAN

66 Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (30 September 2008). With respect to 2007-08 Budget Paper 4 volume 1—page 3.5—

(a) what are the details of initiatives referred to in the Highlight entitled 'identified eight initiatives for inclusion in the government's red tape reduction plan';

(b) what action will be taken to progress these initiatives;

(c) what savings have been realised as a result of these initiatives; and

(d) which agency is responsible for quantifying these savings?

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Federal/State Relations):

(a) The eight initiatives included in the Red Tape Reduction Plan are:

1. Remove redundant provisions and regulations;

2. Remove requirement for stamp duty exempt mortgages to be stamped as 'exempt';

3. Allow stamp duty opinion assessments to be stamped on RevNet;

4. Payroll tax (PRT) monthly return payments by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT);

5. Increased RevNet usage for Land Tax and Emergency Services Levy (ESL) Certificate processing;

6. Reduction in telephone calls by improving information accessibility

7. Online completion and lodgement of PRT Trainee Rebate Applications and Trainee details; and

8. Online completion and lodgement of PRT Exporters Rebate.

(b) Action being taken to progress these initiatives.

1. The Statutes Amendment and Repeal (Taxation Administration) Act 2008, which removes redundant provisions was proclaimed to come into operation on 1 January 2009. Other related amendments made by this Act to the Emergency Services Funding Act 1998 and the Land Tax Act 1936, come into operation on 1 July 2009.

2. This was implemented in December 2007, with notification provided to all lodging parties.

3. This initiative has been fully implemented with stamp duty opinion assessments being stamped on RevNet since September 2008.

4. An EFT option for PRT monthly return payment has been available to taxpayers since July 2008.

5. Targeted marketing strategy undertaken with letters and flyers sent to all potential applicants in December 2007. Ongoing monitoring of applications. Follow up of those who have not elected to use RevNet commenced in February 2008.

6. RevenueSA is maintaining a range of ongoing strategies to minimise the number of telephone calls received from taxpayers and to ensure the provision of up to date online information. Further strategies have been identified to extend the provision of online information. These are being progressively implemented, some of which will be included in RISTEC (a new IT system).

7. Requirement for Statutory Declaration removed and new form implemented. Online application functionality included in RISTEC business requirements.

8. Requirement for Statutory Declaration removed and new form implemented. Online application functionality included in RISTEC business requirements.

(c) Savings realised as a result of these initiatives.

Business net red tape savings to date are at $25.7 million per annum.

(d) The agency responsible for quantifying these savings.

Savings are calculated by the Department of Treasury and Finance using the Business Cost Calculator, with values independently verified by Deloitte.