Mutual recognition schemes

In: http://apo.org.au/node/57566

Abstract

Australia's and New Zealand's mutual recognition schemes are unique in the world by their extensive scope and coverage. They make it easier to do business across borders and give consumers a wider and more competitive range of goods and services. This report was released on 25 September 2015 and assesses the coverage, efficiency and effectiveness of the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) and Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA). It also recommends ways to further improve interjurisdictional movement of goods and skilled workers, and reduce red tape, including examining the scope for establishing automatic mutual recognition for registered occupations. It addresses matters identified by the Cross-Jurisdictional Review Forum (CJRF), including requirements for the use of goods and business registration (the CJRF is an interjurisdictional committee of officials that oversees the MRA and TTMRA). Key points The Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) and Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA) are generally working well. However, the benefit of the schemes risks slowly being eroded due to regulators not always implementing mutual recognition as required, weak oversight, and an increase in the number of goods and related laws permanently kept outside the scope of the schemes. There are specific concerns with the operation of mutual recognition of occupations, such as 'shopping and hopping' and background checks. These issues have the potential to weaken the community's and regulators' trust in the schemes and undermine their legitimacy. This review has therefore focused on improving governance arrangements, potentially expanding coverage, and addressing irritants to the smooth operation of the schemes. The Commission proposes to reform the governance arrangements by: strengthening the cross-jurisdictional group of officials that oversees the schemes, including by giving it more specific outputs, timeframes and reporting requirements improving the accountability of regulators in individual ...