RED TAPE REDUCTION PLAN

200 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (21 October 2008). Since the Premier's 2002 announcement that 'Labor will do away with unnecessary business red tape and end wasteful duplication in government':

(a) how much 'red tape' according to the state government's strategic plan has been reduced?

(b) What has been the cost to taxpayers of implementing red tape reduction programs to date?

(c) What financial benefits have small businesses and industry received, in dollar terms per organisation, as a result of these programs?

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Federal/State Relations): I have been provided the following information:

The South Australian Competitiveness Council was given the task of overseeing the implementation of a red tape program to achieve a target of $150 million in red tape savings to business by 30 June 2008. The aim of the program was to reduce unnecessary administrative and compliance requirements, which impose a time and cost burden on business.

(a) An independent assessment by consultants Deloitte found that the government's red tape reduction initiatives are on track to save South Australian businesses more than $170 million per year.

(b) The savings have been achieved at no cost to taxpayers as the red tape reduction initiatives have been funded from within existing departmental budgets.

(c) The financial benefits received by individual businesses as a result of the red tape reduction program vary according to the amount of unnecessary red tape that existed in their particular industry. Examples of industries receiving significant savings include the wine industry with savings of $18.5 million, property development, savings of $17.8 million, and heavy vehicle road transport, savings of at least $1 million.