Government red tape still a burden on businesses

Federal Member for Fairfax

Media release

Feedback from local businesses to the electoral office of Member for Fairfax, Clive Palmer, suggests the government’s recent ‘red tape repeal’ day is having little impact at grassroots level.

Mr Palmer’s community liaison officer Scott Higgins conducts daily visits to Sunshine Coast businesses before reporting on their thoughts and concerns. The overwhelming message from recent visits is clear – small businesses are still doing it tough.

Despite government claims that 9500 regulations and 1000 redundant pieces of legislation will be scrapped to ease the bureaucratic burden, Mr Palmer said input from businesses tells a different story.

“Our community liaison officer Scott Higgins is out and about every day talking with local businesses and what we are hearing on a regular basis is that red tape and over-regulation is holding businesses back,” Mr Palmer said.

“The so-called ‘red tape repeal day’ from the government was nothing more than window dressing.

“The government must address these issues more vigorously and strategically to achieve any meaningful outcomes for business owners.

“Surely we must do everything we can to help businesses be competitive in the marketplace?

“When you add unnecessary red tape to competition from online retailers or cheaper imports, it makes profitability for our local businesses difficult to achieve. It holds back growth,” Mr Palmer added.

Ends