This report makes the case for a sustained commitment to better regulation and harmonisation across Australia. It recommends a new seamless national economy agreement between the Federal Government and states and territories, identifying nine priority areas for reform and key steps to ensure success.

The report focuses on lessons learned from the National Partnership Agreement to Deliver a Seamless National Economy in effect between 2009 and 2013. These reforms were estimated to deliver over $6 billion in annual benefits to the economy. Unfinished reforms offer a similar magnitude of benefits.

Priorities

• National occupation licensing
• Harmonised and efficient environmental assessments
• Payroll tax harmonisation
• More consistent heavy vehicle access and design rules
• Data sharing across jurisdictions by default
• More streamlined and consistent land-use planning regulation
• Consistent regulations to enable a more circular economy
• Reforms to state and local government procurement
• National care-worker screening.