Ministers are reminded of the need to complete all National Competition Policy (NCP) Reviews, including any legislative amendments, by the 30 June 2002 deadline agreed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).

The National Competition Council (NCC) has just completed its Third Tranche Assessment.

Although NSW made considerable progress in meeting Third Tranche Assessment obligations, urgent action is now needed to prepare for the NCC's next Tranche Assessment in July 2002.

This Assessment will pose a significant challenge for NSW, as it will focus on the outcomes of legislative review and any incomplete reform activity by 30 June 2002.

Given the number of incomplete NCP Reviews, I ask that Ministers take immediate action to ensure the 30 June 2002 deadline is met.

This will require all outstanding Review Reports to be completed and brought forward for Cabinet consideration as soon as possible.

Cooperation from agencies will be needed to make this happen, and in some cases your personal intervention may be required.

Ministers should take steps to ascertain the status of each NCP Review in their portfolio. The Cabinet Office will be contacting Ministerial Offices to discuss next steps and to provide assistance in progressing these NCP Reviews.

The deadline for submission of Cabinet proposals relating to NCP Reviews to The Cabinet Office is Friday 31 August 2001 for Spring Session 2001, and Monday 17 December 2001 for early Budget Session 2002.

More complex proposals should be scheduled for introduction in Spring Session 2001 to allow the legislation to be passed by the 30 June 2002 deadline.

Any enquiries may be made to Ms Shayleen Thompson, Policy Manager, Inter-Governmental and Regulatory Reform Branch, The Cabinet Office (phone 9228 4324).

Andrew Refshauge
Acting Premier