NATIONAL COMPETITION COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE
Level 12, Casselden Place 2 Lonsdale Street MELBOURNE VIC 3000 3 March 1999

High quality legislation reviews and robust public interest tests are an important part of competition reform — CIE report
“Now that we are halfway through the National Competition Policy program, it is important to reiterate the need for high quality review processes and robust public interest tests if Australia is to achieve the full benefit from examining its restrictive legislation. Independent review panels, particularly where legislation has a significant impact on the community or is complex, opportunities for public input, well-reasoned conclusions consistent with the evidence, thorough consideration of the social and economic needs of the Australian community and timely implementation of recommendations should be part of NCP”, National Competition Council President Graeme Samuel said. Mr Samuel today released a report on a general framework for the NCP legislation review and reform process, which the NCC had commissioned from the Centre for International Economics. The CIE framework clarifies the important steps in reviewing legislation and offers tips on how each step should be undertaken. The work builds on governments’ existing guidelines and experience to date in conducting NCP reviews. Mr Samuel said that the NCC receives many questions about review processes, particularly from people who are adversely affected by restrictive legislation. He said the CIE’ work provides a good non-technical checklist both for people affected by s legislation being reviewed and for those conducting reviews and implementing review recommendations. He strongly supported the advice provided by the CIE.
For further comment contact: Graeme Samuel on 0414 33 5555, or Ed Willett on 0414 55 9999.

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