"Bad regulation is the straitjacket holding back the economy"

CPA Australia, a professional accounting body, has warned that excessive regulation and bureaucracy are stifling business productivity and economic growth, calling on the next federal government to prioritise reform.
Gavan Ord (pictured above), CPA Australia’s business investment and international lead, said Australia’s regulatory environment has become increasingly complex, making the country a less attractive place for business.
“The regulatory environment has made Australia a less attractive place to do business,” Ord said. “A significant contributor to this perception is the increasing volume and complexity of regulation. Individual regulations could be well-designed, but the cumulative regulatory burden can overwhelm businesses, especially SMEs.”
He criticised the government’s “regulate first, ask questions later” approach, arguing that it creates uncertainty and administrative challenges for businesses trying to grow.
“Bad regulation is the straitjacket holding back the economy,” he said. “Businesses understand the need for robust regulatory frameworks, but the government should be taking a more deregulation-based approach that frees up the time and resources businesses need to focus on their priorities.”
Ord also pointed to the government’s National Small Business Strategy as a missed opportunity to provide a clear vision for economic growth.
“Small business operators are looking for a substantive strategy from government – one where they can see clear benefits for themselves and the economy as a whole, but this failed to deliver,” he said.
He called for a shift in how governments approach regulation, advocating for better enforcement of existing laws and practical solutions such as education instead of introducing new rules.
In its 2025 pre-budget submission, CPA Australia has outlined key recommendations to reduce regulatory pressure, including increased investment in technology, ongoing reviews of existing regulations, improved public consultation, incentives for regulatory technology development, and stronger frameworks for assessing industry levies.
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