Media statement

February 20, 2022

The Labor government’s Regulatory Legislation Amendment (Reform) Bill 2021 is scheduled to come to the Legislative Council for debate this week. The bill proposes to change the way the government is required to publish public notices.

I know thousands of people rely on our regional newspapers to keep up to date on local issues and information.

Despite the big shift to digital platforms, these publications remain a vital source of information in our communities.

I have been speaking with the government about my concerns that shifting the requirement from print to online publication of statutory notices could exclude people from important information and reduce transparency and participation.

The change proposed in the government’s bill affects the publication of more than 400 types of notices. These types of notices include:

• Matters relating to permits, approvals and licenses (like liquor licence applications, planning permits, water allocations and licenses)
• Publication of an amendment, codes of practice, determinations, orders, declarations etc. (usually as a result of regulatory changes)
• Proposals, inquiries, invitations for submissions
• Sales of entitlements, matters related to unclaimed property
• Landowners seeking to sell unclaimed goods
• Amendment of gas and electricity tariffs
• Matters relating to trusts, board meetings

I’ve been working through these issues to try to reach consensus that will safeguard regional media and regional information sharing.

I am optimistic we can reach agreement so the publication of notices in our vital regional newspapers continues.