Recent policy submissions from the Commissioner

The Commission has completed a detailed review of the NSW Retail Leases Act.  The Review makes 32 recommendations.

The focus of the review was on proposing recommendations that:

• Reduce red tape and compliance costs for retail tenants and landlords, while leaving appropriate matters to commercial negotiation or education rather than a reliance on legislative interpretation.
• Ensure the Act is efficient and effective at meeting policy objectives, and to assess whether original policy objectives remain appropriate.
• Enhance operational efficiency and legal certainty for stakeholders operating across jurisdictions.
• Clarify and simplify the Act to eliminate ambiguity and provide greater clarity on obligations and requirements.

Download a copy of the review.

The Commission thanks all of the stakeholders who contributed to the review.

The Commission has also highlighted important issues for small hospitality businesses regarding proposed country-of-origin seafood labelling.

In feedback to the Country of origin labelling for seafood in hospitality settings regulation impact statement, Commissioner Chris Lamont warned of the cost to small businesses of the proposed new labelling regime. He also highlighted that it may discourage future purchases of Australian seafood by the hospitality sector.

“In addition to initial costs to become compliant with any new requirements, businesses will also be disadvantaged by the ongoing administrative burden of amending menus every time their supply arrangements change.  We have recommended a specific exemption for small business should the proposal proceed,” the Commissioner said.

Read the submission.