REGULATORY BURDEN ON REGIONAL BUSINESSES
Australia’s regional industries are the engine of this country. From sugarcane to prawns- mining, beef & tourism- they keep the lights on and the economy ticking. Where I come from, these industries don’t just generate profits. They sustain families, communities, and our way of life.
But as a new report from the Page Research Centre, A complex, costly web: The regulatory burden on Australia’s regional businesses highlights, every single one of them is up against it. Overregulation is strangling them, and Canberra needs to wake up.
Farmers are more efficient and resourceful than ever. They use million-dollar equipment and modern techniques to grow food for the nation and the world. These people aren’t wasteful. They’re meticulous. Every dollar spent is carefully managed. They don’t damage the land or water. They depend on it. And yet, farmers are treated like they’re the problem. They’re not. They’re the solution. They deserve respect, support, and the right to get on with their job.
In Dawson, we have the largest sugarcane industry in the country. Bowen’s horticultural sector is worth half a billion dollars. It produces the tomatoes, mangoes, and other fresh produce that end up on plates here and overseas. Our aquaculture sector exports live fish to Hong Kong and delivers prawns to Australian dinner tables. Cattle producers in the region supply some of the best beef in the world. In Mackay, the mining and engineering sector drives entire industries. This region is doing the heavy lifting for the national economy.
And what do we get in return? Layers of regulation. Federal, state, and local governments pile rules on top of rules. Compliance costs go up, delays drag on, and businesses suffer.
Environmental, Social, and Governance mandates are out of sync with global trends, making Australian businesses uncompetitive. Taxes and royalties hit industries like coal and mining so hard that investment dries up. Projects that could power entire regional economies are delayed or cancelled because of legal and regulatory roadblocks. It’s madness.
Small businesses are in the same boat. They’re the backbone of regional towns. They create jobs, provide services, and keep communities alive. I’ve been a business owner. I know what it’s like to make payroll, cover the bills, and stay afloat. These people are doing their best, but government interference is making it harder every day.
It’s time for change. Regulations need to be simplified. Federal, state, and local governments must coordinate to reduce duplication and cut costs. ESG mandates must be realistic and aligned with global trends. Taxes and royalties must be reformed.
Queensland’s 2022 coal royalty tiers need to go. Approval times for projects must be capped at 18 months. Public funding for Environmental Defenders Offices, which use legal loopholes to delay projects, must end. Environmental regulations should be straightforward and practical. These aren’t complicated decisions. They’re common sense.
Strong regions mean a strong country. When our industries thrive, we can take care of our seniors, support our veterans, and give young people a future. It’s about making sure everyone, no matter where they live, benefits from Australia’s success.
Australians have always worked hard. Farmers, miners, and business owners don’t need handouts. They need governments to get out of the way. They need Canberra to stop piling on the red tape, green tape, and black tape that make it impossible to get things done. This isn’t about the environment versus the economy. It’s about striking a balance that allows both to succeed.
When regional Australia is strong, the whole country is strong. That’s the bottom line. And it’s about time Canberra understood it.