Queensland’s clothing and textile industry has earned a much needed red tape reprieve after the State Government repealed the mandatory code of practice for clothing outworkers. Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie said the decision would remove the unnecessary reporting obligations imposed on small businesses by the previous Labor Government.
“The code required retailers in Queensland to report on clothing designs, fabric and seam details, and the names and addresses of who had worked on the product,” Mr Bleijie said. “Despite the tangled web of bureaucracy, not one prosecution has been made since the requirement was introduced two years ago.
“Any complaints about payments to clothing outworkers are dealt with through Fair Work Australia and the additional paper work was unnecessary.” Mr Bleijie said a review confirmed industry concerns about the excessive reporting obligations, particularly given the federal award and statutory provisions already protecting workers. “No one disputes the need to protect the rights of clothing outworkers, but we also need to avoid the duplication,” he said.
“For too long, red tape has strangled business, stunted economic growth and driven up the cost of living for Queensland families.” Red tape, fees, levies and charges are now costing the business community $7 billion per annum, an increase of 30 per cent in just five years.
“Those costs are inevitably passed on to consumers, so everyone ends up paying more for over-regulation," he said. “The Queensland Government is committed to removing the culture of red tape and regulation in the state and making sure the world knows Queensland is open for business.”
