“The introduction into parliament of the Regulatory Standards Bill is a landmark development in the quest for better regulation in New Zealand”, Business Roundtable chairman Roger Partridge said today.

The Bill is based on the work of the Regulatory Responsibility Taskforce (chaired by Dr Graham Scott and including Jack Hodder SC, Richard Clarke QC, the Hon David Caygill, Dr Don Turkington, Dr Bryce Wilkinson, and Paul Baines).

Mr Partridge said, “The Bill will ensure that new legislative and regulatory proposals are vetted to ensure their consistency with important principles, such as the rule of law and the protection of property rights.  The Bill creates sensible certification mechanisms and creates the opportunity for non-binding judicial oversight of legislation.”

He said the Bill would ensure more transparency and accountability in the law-making process and that its introduction was another positive step towards a more disciplined regulatory policy and a more prosperous New Zealand.

“Regulation can play an important role in ensuring a safe and healthy society, but poorly conceived regulation can undermine our prosperity and our freedom.  The Bill recognises we have too much ill-considered regulation and that it has placed a real burden on our economy.”

“I’m pleased that the Government has heeded the rising voices of New Zealand businesses.  These reforms are timely and well-needed”, Mr Partridge concluded.

15 March 2011