Red tape reforms boost Queensland economy

Significant savings are on the way for Queensland’s construction, resources and tourism industries thanks to red tape busting reforms to the QLeave scheme, passed in Parliament last night.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie said they delivered on the Government’s election promises to supercharge the economy and revitalise frontline services.

“Both workers and businesses will reap the rewards from these savings, leading to greater economic growth and job security for workers across the State,” Mr Bleijie said.

“By reducing the QLeave levy rate for construction and building projects from 0.30 per cent to 0.25 per cent, an estimated $24 million will be saved in the construction and resource sectors.

“These savings will make a big difference to individual businesses who in the past have been weighed down by ever increasing levies and expenses.

“Under the Construction and Tourism (Red Tape Reduction) and Other Legislation Bill, building and construction workers will retain every single one of their QLeave benefits to ensure they have access to paid leave regardless of which project or employers they’re working for.

“Queensland travel agents have become increasingly burdened by overregulation in recent years, making it more and more difficult for bricks and mortar agents to compete with the online tourism industry.

“These reforms will reduce the costs and conditions for tourism operators while introducing a voluntary accreditation scheme to replace the current state licensing scheme to bring Queensland travel agents under the same scheme as other states.

Mr Bleijie said hardworking community groups across Queensland will also be big beneficiaries through the amalgamation of the State’s Community Benefit Fund grants.

“For many years, community groups had to decipher applications from four separate funding programs, each with different grant limits, criteria and budget requirements depending on which fund they were applying for,” he said.

“By streamlining the grants process, community groups will soon be able to apply for up to $35,000 with just one application.

“This Government has a strong plan for a brighter future and these changes are all positive steps towards our commitment to reducing red tape by 20 per cent in the next six years.”

[ENDS] 21 May 2014

Media Contact: Ashley McDermid 0412 731 355 or Jaime Wells 0409 624 139