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COAG sets priorities for national growth

By intouch * posted 22-08-2019 10:05

  

Leaders made progress on issues for keeping the Australian economy strong and improving the lives of all Australians at the latest COAG meeting.

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The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) held its 47th general meeting this month in Cairns – the first held outside a capital city. Below is an extract from the summary of agreements:

Boosting the economy

COAG agreed to work together to reduce regulatory and bureaucratic barriers across the federation so that businesses can grow and create more jobs. Leaders committed to improving the design and efficiency of business regulation to support jobs and investment in the interests of the community. The Commonwealth’s Deregulation Taskforce will work with state, territory and local governments, and businesses themselves, to identify and address the most significant regulatory barriers to investment for selected industries.

Improving population planning and management

Australia’s continued economic growth and multicultural richness are benefitting from a dynamic, diverse and skilled population. Different parts of Australia are being affected by population change in different ways and therefore it is important that population planning and management is informed by the needs of local communities. Managing population change is a shared responsibility involving all levels of government working across many fronts – from investment in infrastructure through to service delivery. Accordingly, population planning and management is a standing item on the COAG agenda.

Delivering Australia’s infrastructure pipeline

Leaders committed to delivering a record pipeline of infrastructure investment that will significantly boost construction, create jobs, support Australia’s productivity and improve the amenity of our cities and regions. COAG discussed the benefits of increased or accelerated construction activity, and the need to manage cost and capacity pressures while maintaining the quality of construction. Leaders asked the COAG Transport and Infrastructure Council to commission analysis and provide advice on infrastructure market conditions in each jurisdiction to COAG by the end of 2019.

Driving better outcomes for regional Australia

Australia’s diverse regions make significant contributions to our economy and society. While resourceful and resilient, regions are facing a unique set of challenges. All governments invest heavily in our regions and improving coordination and collaboration will support regional Australia to reach its full potential. Leaders agreed to establish a Regional Ministers’ Forum to identify and explore opportunities to deliver better economic and social outcomes. Targeted investment, tailored to the needs of individual regions and developed in collaboration across all levels of government and with the local communities, is key to ensuring regional Australia’s ongoing success.

Waste and recycling                                                                                           

Leaders agreed Australia should establish a timetable to ban the export of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres, while building Australia’s capacity to generate high value recycled commodities and associated demand. They tasked Environment Ministers to advise on a proposed timetable and response strategy following consultation with industry and other stakeholders. Leaders agreed the strategy must seek to reduce waste, especially plastics, decrease the amount of waste going to landfill and maximise the capability of our waste management and recycling sector to collect, recycle, reuse, convert and recover waste. Leaders agreed the strategy should draw on the best science, research and commercial experience, including that of agencies like the CSIRO and the work of Cooperative Research Centres.

Collaborating in the digital world

Leaders recognised the importance of delivering government services in ways that meet the expectations and needs of Australians. Barriers to sharing data between jurisdictions can impede achievement of this vision. Work is underway to streamline data sharing between jurisdictions, although much more can be done. Leaders also acknowledged the importance of ensuring digital initiatives have appropriate privacy and security safeguards. The Australian Data and Digital Council (formerly the Australian Digital Council) has been elevated to a COAG Council to identify and drive digital transformation and data collaboration projects across jurisdictions to better respond to the needs of all Australians.

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