Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry
Speaker,
I move that this Bill be now read a second time.
Today, I am proud to introduce the Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2025.
This is another important step in implementing our government’s agenda to make our economy more dynamic, resilient and productive.
Better regulation was a key focus of the Economic Reform Roundtable we convened earlier this year and a key focus of our second term economic agenda.
Better regulation that helps Australians get faster and more streamlined access to the essential services they need and deserve.
Better regulation that gets more investment flowing more efficiently and effectively right across our economy.
And better regulation which boosts productivity, to help create more jobs and grow wages for working Australians.
Speaker,
This Bill is about better regulation, cutting compliance costs and cutting red tape.
One of the outcomes from the roundtable was fast‑tracking its introduction.
Today, we are delivering on that commitment.
It’s another step in the substantial regulatory agenda we have been pushing forward with pace since the roundtable.
We’ve made a lot of progress since those 3 days around the Cabinet table.
From working through 400 ideas to reduce regulatory burden from 38 Commonwealth regulators –
To tasking the Council of Financial Regulators to de‑clutter and improve regulation in the financial sector, with a priority focus on streamlining and harmonising data collection –
And officially opening our Investor Front Door to make it quicker and easier for investors to back big projects that create jobs and opportunities for Australians.
But we recognise there’s still more to do.
That’s why we’ll also alter statements of expectations for Commonwealth regulators, to emphasise the reduction of red tape and a better balance between outcomes and risk.
As well as conduct deep dives for priority sectors to streamline regulation.
Speaker,
The number of measures and government agencies that will be reformed by this Bill is emblematic of how widely we are looking across government to improve regulation.
There are 60 measures in this legislation alone.
It amends 28 Acts and repeals another 2.
And it will directly affect and improve the operations of 13 government agencies.
These changes will make a meaningful improvement to how Australians and businesses work with these agencies.
More than this, it will also improve existing regulations to ensure they are fit‑for‑purpose and serving the needs of Australians.
Speaker,
This Bill does 4 key things.
Firstly, it will help Services Australia shift towards a ‘tell‑us‑once’ approach to how it delivers services.
That means Australians won’t have to put in their details every time they access a different government service they need.
Repeatedly asking for the same information only adds stress and delays access to vital services people rely on and deserve.
As an example, once this Bill is passed, we can make changes so when Australians update their Centrelink bank details, Medicare gets them too.
This will help people claim their unpaid Medicare benefits, which are estimated to total $270 million owed to almost a million Australians.
We know it will take time to make this ‘tell‑us‑once’ shift, but this Bill is a critical step forward.
Secondly, this Bill will reduce red tape to improve access to government services.
One meaningful change the Bill makes is doubling the amount of time patients have to access imaging services when they get a referral from a healthcare provider.
At the moment, when life gets in the way and patients can’t access an imaging service, they need to go back to a GP to get the same referral again.
We’re changing this.
Thirdly, the Bill will help reduce the regulatory burden on Australians and on industry.
One change here will be bringing some legislated document requirements up to date with the digital economy.
For example, marriage celebrants are currently required to look at physical documents before a couple can tie the knot.
This Bill will allow secure, suitable digital options to be introduced.
It will also enable regulators to communicate better and share more information when it comes to offshore gas projects.
And fourth, the Bill will help increase government efficiency and improve productivity.
By giving the Minister for Climate Change and Energy additional flexibility to respond to temporary critical fuel shortages so companies can tap into their fuel stocks if they need to –
By making NBN’s mapping data available for public use by other businesses and industry –
And making it easier to buy smarter appliances that use energy when electricity is cheapest, like hot water systems that heat water for your evening shower while the sun’s still shining.
Speaker,
I’d like to pay tribute to my colleague and friend Senator Katy Gallagher, Minister for Finance, Women, the Public Service and Government Services.
She has been the driving force behind this Bill and I’m introducing it to the House today on her behalf.
I thank her for all her work in bringing together contributions from across all of government into this legislation.
Speaker,
Regulation should be there to protect Australians and empower them, not weigh them down.
This Bill is about making sure the rules of our economy are working for Australians, not holding them back.
So Australians who need help from Medicare can spend more time in front of a doctor, and less time re‑sharing their information.
And so we can boost productivity to help create more jobs and lift living standards for working Australians in all corners of this country.
We understand there is more to do.
But this Bill is another step forward in making sure regulation supports growth, not hinders it.
Regulation that meets the opportunities and challenges of a churning and changing global economy.
Full details of the measures are contained in the explanatory memorandum.
I commend this Bill to the House.