SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER
MINISTER FOR FINANCE
MINISTER FOR WOMEN
MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE
MINISTER FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES
SENATOR FOR THE ACT

LABOR DELIVERS RED TAPE REDUCTION THAT WILL SIMPLY INTERACTION WITH GOVERNMENT SERVICES

The Albanese Labor Government has delivered on its commitment at the Economic Reform Roundtable to reduce red tape by passing the Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2025 through the Parliament overnight.

This Bill delivers practical changes that cut red tape, improve regulation, and make it easier for Australians to access government services.

The Bill is a key first step out of the Economic Reform Roundtable and part of Labor’s agenda to make the economy more dynamic, resilient and productive.

The Act contains 60 measures, amends 28 Acts, repeals two redundant Acts and improves the operations of 13 government agencies. It’s the latest step in a substantial regulatory reform agenda to boost productivity, drive growth and responsibly harness new technologies while keeping strong safeguards in place.

It’s disappointing that the Coalition’s ideological crusade against action on climate change stopped them for voting to support sensible red tape reduction.

The Liberals and Nationals not only voted multiple times to oppose the bill in its entirety but also joined forces with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation to vote for an amendment that tried to delay consideration of the Bill until next year.

Let’s be clear about what the Liberals opposed last night:

• A “tell us once” approach so Australians don’t have to provide the same information multiple times for services like Medicare, Centrelink and Child Support
• Smarter information sharing to deliver better healthcare and clamp down on Medicare fraud
• Improved public information on the NBN rollout
• Greater flexibility for fuel companies to respond to supply disruptions

Instead of supporting common-sense changes to reduce duplication and compliance costs, the Liberals voted no all at the same time that they continue to complain about government regulation.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Finance and Government Services, Senator Katy Gallagher:

“These are common sense reforms delivering a real difference in people’s lives and Labor believes that Australians shouldn’t have to tell the government the same information over and over again just to get the services they need.”

“Last night the Parliament backed a simpler, fairer experience for Australians who rely on services like the Age Pension, Medicare and Child Support, but with no help from the Coalition.

“The mere reference to the words ‘greenhouse’ and ‘energy’ in the bill has seen the Liberals oppose the entire bill.

“Robert Menzies wouldn’t recognise the modern-day Liberal Party that chose to vote against reducing red tape.

“While the Coalition is consumed by internal divisions, the Albanese Labor Government will get on with delivering the benefits of this Bill to all Australians.”

ENDS