The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is calling on both political parties to commit to creating an Office of Regulation following the election.

VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said this new Office of Regulation - modelled on the US Office of the Small Business Advocate - would sit alongside the Office of Small Business Commissioner.

“The prime function of this Office would be to review and assess the impact and cost of regulation and legislation on small business, before it is drafted into law,” Mr Purchase said.

“It would also report to Parliament, acting as a voice of moderation on behalf of small business.

“Too often, there is little understanding of the actual cost impost, and of the hours consumed by red-tape and regulation. Small business needs a voice in Government to ensure these matters are properly considered before legislation is drafted,” he said.

“A vibrant small business sector is critical to the economic health of the State.

“In many communities, right across the State, small business is the glue that holds the local economy together.

An Office of Regulation would give small business a moderating voice and ensure it was not unfairly disadvantaged by red-tape and regulation,” Mr Purchase said.