Premier & Cabinet

Type:
Department of Premier and Cabinet Circular
Identifier:
C2007-26
Status:
Archived

C2007-26 Internal Government Red Tape Review Update

Description

In February 2006, the NSW Government announced a number of initiatives to reduce red tape, both generally and within government. The Internal Government Red Tape Review (the Review) is examining red tape that NSW Government agencies create that affects other agencies.

Detailed Outline

Earlier this month Minister Joe Tripodi, Minister for Small Business and Regulatory Reform, provided the following update to all Ministers regarding the Internal Government Red Tape Review.

In February 2006, the NSW Government announced a number of initiatives to reduce red tape, both generally and within government. The Internal Government Red Tape Review (the Review) is examining red tape that NSW Government agencies create that affects other agencies. The Review is reporting in two stages. Stage 1 was completed in December 2006, and Stage 2 is under way.

On 18 December 2006, Budget Committee of Cabinet endorsed the Stage 1 recommendations of the Review, which are set out at Attachment A.

The recommendations will lead to significantly less compliance and administrative work, particularly for small agencies. Some highlights are:

  • Small agencies (those with fewer than 200 staff) will report every three years rather than annually on items such as the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Strategic Plan and the Government Office Accommodation Database.
  • Most agencies will no longer be subject to the Fleet Improvement Plan, which will now be limited to those agencies accounting for 95% of the NSW Government fleet.
  • Significant changes will require the approval of Budget Committee of Cabinet.

Relevant circulars, directives, memoranda and similar instruments will be issued to reflect new requirements. The Review will finalise this process this financial year. Meanwhile, before all instruments are modified, agencies should comply with the improvements approved by Budget Committee, as set out in Attachment A.

Please pass on this information to all units in your agency. Agencies administering relevant instruments should be informed first, so that they can become familiar with the approved reforms before they receive queries.

Robyn Kruk

Director General

 

ATTACHMENT A
STAGE I RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNAL GOVERNMENT RED TAPE REVIEW

Recommendation 1.1 That the Treasury Capital Online Entry System (CAPTOES) and the Major Construction Projects Reporting System (MCPRS) continue to operate as previously.

Recommendation 1.2 That Treasury provide clearer information to agencies on the differences between CAPTOES and MCPRS, and on possible synergies.

Recommendation 2.1 That the credit card survey be eventually extended to all NSW Government agencies, in association with a roll-out of the Treasury Banking System (TBS) to all agencies.

Recommendation 2.2 That until all NSW Government agencies form part of the TBS, non-TBS agencies be required to report on instances of credit card non-compliance, without being required to complete other sections of the credit card survey.

Recommendation 3.1 That the Department of Premier and Cabinet SES Guidelines, the Motor Vehicle Policy and any other relevant documents be re-written to align FBT requirements with ATO requirements. The revised document should make specific reference to the ATO requirements, so that any change in those requirements can be mirrored at State level. Under current ATO requirements, employees should have the option of a log-book (set period) every five years, or a running sheet (full year) that records only business trips.

Recommendation 4.1 That the requirement to retain petrol sales dockets be removed from Treasury Direction 89/2 and any other relevant instruments.

Recommendation 5.1 That Treasury establish clearer communication with agencies concerning Results And Services Plan (RSP) aims and requirements.

Recommendation 6.1 That the Statement of Corporate/Business Intent (SCI/SBI) be retained in its current form.

Recommendation 6.2 That Treasury improve communication with agencies to ensure a better understanding of the aims and context of SCI/SBI.

Recommendation 7.1 That Treasury communicate more clearly to agencies the aims and possible formats of Total Asset Management (TAM) plans, including that:

  • TAM plans need not be lengthy and
  • TAM plans need not change substantially from year to year.

Recommendation 8.1 That Treasury investigate a program to automate conversion of agency accounting data to TOES format. This program should be run in a way to minimise overall government sector costs, and maximise whole-of-government benefits, and should be implemented after the recently flagged re-organisation of NSW Government agencies has been completed.

Recommendation 8.2 That Treasury fund initial one-off costs for the TOES automation program.

Recommendation 8.3 In the case of individual agencies where the costs of TOES automation outweigh the benefits, that these agencies continue to use manual input of data. Agencies should assess their own costs and benefits, and decide whether they wish to participate in this program.

Recommendation 9.1 That Budget Committee of Cabinet approve the establishment of a Working Group to undertake a full review of non-financial reporting requirements. This Working Group should be convened and chaired by Treasury and include the Better Regulation Office, Department of Premier and Cabinet, one representative small agency, and one representative large agency.

Recommendation 9.2 That NSW Government agencies be required to publish their Annual Report on the internet.

Recommendation 10.1 That small agencies (those with fewer than 200 employees) be exempted from providing quarterly Workforce Profile data, except when there is a major change in the number of employees (say 20 or more full time equivalents), at which time they must complete the survey on a once-off basis.

Recommendation 11.1 That agencies with fewer than 200 staff complete the Corporate Services Survey every three years rather than annually.

Recommendation 11.2 That the Department of Commerce investigate designing a new Corporate Services Survey for small agencies, to streamline the requirements and reduce the workload.

Recommendation 12.1 That State Fleet vehicles provided as part of a salary package be excluded from Fleet Improvement Plan reporting.

Recommendation 12.2 That vehicles available to NSW Government employees be restricted as necessary (currently only V8 powered vehicles are not available) to help address energy and environmental concerns about State Fleet vehicles packaged on a 100 per cent private use basis.

Recommendation 12.3 That only agencies with the largest vehicle fleets, accounting for 95% of the NSW Government fleet, should be subject to the Fleet Improvement Plan. Agencies should assume they are exempt, unless otherwise advised by the Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability. State Fleet and other fleet providers should advise DEUS which agencies comprise 95% of the fleet.

Recommendation 13.1 That the Community Relations Commission (CRC) undertake an education campaign for agencies on the requirements and underlying purpose of the Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement (EAPS), providing examples of reports required. This could be done when advising agencies of the outcome of the Strategic Framework review.

Recommendation 13.2 That agencies with fewer than 200 staff be exempt from annual EAPS reporting requirements, and only be required to report every three years.

Recommendation 14.1 That Treasury revoke its requirement for agencies to produce both an IMAndT Plan and ICT Strategic Plan. Replacing the current requirements, agencies will be required to submit to Treasury a single modified ICT Strategic Plan, updated annually.

Recommendation 14.2 That agencies with fewer than 200 staff be exempt from annual updates of the ICT Strategic Plan. These agencies should update their ICT Strategic Plan every three years.

Recommendation 14.3 That the Treasury undertake a review of the new requirements within two years of the implementation of this recommendation, to ensure that the reform benefits outweigh the costs, and that unnecessary costs are not being imposed (particularly in relation to small agencies).

Recommendation 15.1 That DEUS proceed with its proposal to remove the Government Energy Management Policy (GEMP) data reporting requirements for the 70 per cent of agencies operating predominately from within office buildings, and instead require data to be provided by those that administer joint tenancy arrangements (for example, Crown Property).

Recommendation 15.2 That agencies with fewer than 200 staff be exempt from annual GEMP reporting. These agencies should report every three years.

Recommendation 16.1 That Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) outcomes be reported in only one form in agency Annual Reports.

Recommendation 16.2 That agencies not be required to provide EEO information separately to the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment.

Recommendation 16.3 That agencies with fewer than 200 staff be exempt from annual EEO reporting. These agencies should report every three years.

Recommendation 16.4 That the Department of Premier and Cabinet consult with affected agencies in conducting its current review of EEO Management Plans, with a view to addressing the concerns raised in the submissions to this Report.

Recommendation 17.1 That agencies with fewer than 200 staff be exempted from providing a WRAPP report to DEC. These agencies should be required to report on WRAPP every three years in their Annual Report only.

Recommendation 17.2 That agencies exempted from WRAPP reporting only be required to detail progress, not. quantitative measures, in this report.

Recommendation 17.3 That a new Treasury Circular be issued to clarify WRAPP reporting requirements, including examples.

Recommendation 17.4 That DEC educate agencies on what is required in WRAPP reporting and on the flexibility of WRAPP requirements.

Recommendation 18.1 That the Government Office Accommodation Database generally continue to operate as previously.

Recommendation 18.2 That agencies with fewer than 200 staff only be required to update the Government Office Accommodation Database every three years, or when there are major changes in the data.

Recommendation 19.1 That the Government agree to extend the new gatekeeping arrangements for legislation to any significant proposed, or amended, administrative policy that would regulate the activities of government agencies, as determined by the Department of Premier and Cabinet in consultation with the Better Regulation Office.

Recommendation 19.2 That before any government agency adopts any proposed, or amended administrative policy where a RIS has been required, the proposed policy or amendment must be submitted to the Budget Committee for approval together with the RIS. As per the gatekeeping arrangements for legislation, this would be accompanied by a certification by the Minister for Regulatory Reform as to the adequacy of the RIS.

Recommendation 19.3 That all new internal reporting requirements include a five-year sunset provision. 

Overview

Compliance

Not Mandatory

AR Details

Date Issued
Jun 15, 2007
Review Date
Dec 31, 2014
Replaces
Replaced By

Contacts

Contact
Contact us
Phone
02 9228 5555
Publishing Entity
Department of Premier and Cabinet
Issuing Entity
Department of Premier and Cabinet