National Intergovernmental Forums

Business policy and business issues are part of the work program of a number of Ministerial councils as follows.

Council of Australian Government (COAG) and Business Regulation and Competition Working Group (BRCWG) 

COAG is the peak intergovernmental forum in Australia, comprising the Prime Minister, State Premiers, Territory Chief Ministers and the President of the Australian Local Government Association.

Ministerial Councils are an important part of COAG, with over 40 Commonwealth-State Ministerial Councils and forums, which facilitate consultation and cooperation between the Australian Government and State and Territory Governments on specific policy issues.

Ministerial Councils develop policy reforms for consideration by COAG and oversee policy reforms agreed to by COAG.

At the December 2007 COAG meeting, the Prime Minister and state and territory heads of government established the BRCWG. The working group aims to drive the agenda for the reduction of the regulatory burden on businesses by accelerating and broadening the regulation reduction work program, and improving the processes for regulation making and review. It also aims to improve Australia's competitiveness and productivity. Initiatives include: unifying OH&S arrangements; harmonisation of payroll tax; a national system of registering business names; and national requirements for wine labelling.

To visit the COAG Website, click: COAG External Link

Small Business Ministerial Council 

The Small Business Ministerial Council (SBMC) meets once a year. It is supported by senior officials, who meet three times a year. Issues currently under consideration include:

  • post disaster business recovery;
  • the availability of small business statistics and data;
  • the collection of national data on retail tenancy enquiries and disputes;
  • indigenous small business enterprise development;
  • alternative dispute resolution; and
  • the implications of demographic change for small business.

To visit the SBMC Website, click: SBMC External Link

Online and Communication Council 

The Online and Communications Council (OCC) operates as the peak ministerial forum across governments to consider and reach agreement on strategic approaches on information and communications issues of a national importance.

OCC members are supported by two standing committees:

  • The Online and Communications Council Standing Committee—chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Membership includes senior officials representing ministers from each state and territory, the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) and the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO).
  • The Cross-Jurisdictional Chief Information Officers Committee—chaired by the Australian Government Chief Information Officer. Membership includes Chief Information Officers, or equivalent, from each state and territory, and ALGA. New Zealand has been invited to have observer status on the Committee.

Issues currently under consideration include:

  • the implementation of NBN;
  • a national data collection to assist planning and tracking progress of the digital economy;
  • the provision of communication services to indigenous communities;
  • progressing connected government initiatives;  

To visit the OCC Website, click: OCC External Link