The Abbott Coalition Government is cutting red tape to make life easier, help small business, strengthen our economy and create jobs.
For the first time in history, the Government is dedicating two days of Parliament each year to removing red tape. During the Spring Red Tape Repeal Day on 29 October, nearly 1,000 pieces of legislation and regulation totalling over 7,200 pages was removed.
Consistently, people have expressed to me their concern about red tape hindering small business people, community groups and individuals. Regulations have gone too far and often have no positive function.
As a result of recent red tape reductions, nearly half a million small businesses are now exempt from pay-as-you-go requirements and around 1.4 million myTax users will be able to use pre-populated income tax returns, saving countless hours and costs.
Access to government services is now much simpler, with seven services (including Medicare and Centrelink) now accessible through one myGov username and password. The Government promised to reduce more than $1 billion of red and green tape each year and we have more than doubled our target, removing over $2.1 billion of compliance costs.
Many of the ideas to cut red tape came directly from members of the community. I encourage community members to let me know about particular regulatory requirements that are overly burdensome without providing any benefit.
If you would like further information, you can visit www.cuttingredtape.gov.au to find summaries of all the new initiatives and to pass on your suggestions.
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Students in the Parkes Electorate are now able to nominate for the nation’s top prize for Year 12 students undertaking vocational education and training in school.
The Abbott Government has launched the 2014 Australian Vocational Student Prize (AVSP) as part of our commitment to promoting take up of high-quality trades and training in schools.
With skills shortages in a range of employment sectors across regional Australia, we really do need more of our young people pursuing training in areas of demand.
These awards are part of the Government’s strategy to increase recognition of the ‘first-class’ career pathway provided by high-quality trades and training.
The 2014 AVSP will award up to 500 outstanding Year 12 students undertaking relevant VETiS qualifications as part of their senior secondary certificate $1,000 in prize money and a certificate. Up to 20 AVSP winners will also be eligible for the Australian Award for Skills Excellence in School.
Nominations close 28 November 2014. For more information, including on how to nominate, visit: www.education.gov.au/Australian-vocational-student-prize.