While improved governance arrangements for Auckland are a commendable first step, the Forum believes that much work remains if local government is to contribute fully to lifting overall economic performance. Broader reform of local government, which the government is progressing separately, can assist. Read more
Recent events show that the international climate change context is less certain than previously anticipated. We think that the current emissions trading scheme is too rigid and may in fact frustrate the delivery of the outcomes sought from it. Read more
A national interest perspective in the context of the Law Commissions’ inquiry means giving primacy to the interests of consumers. In respect of alcohol, it does not, as in the days of pervasive controls on competition in the liquor industry, mean favouring producer interests. Read more
The Business Roundtable appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the thinking of your Taskforce. We strongly support the government’s goal of bridging the income gap with Australia by 2025. Read more
In our view the general context in which policy related to the Telecommunications Services Obligation (TSO) should be set is the government’s goal of closing the per capita income gap with Australia by 2025. Achieving that goal will require a sustained commitment to the adoption of institutions and policies of the highest order. Read more
The Business Roundtable believes that policy development on climate change entered a more constructive phase in 2009. We were critical of the previous government’s ‘carbon neutrality’ ambitions because of their enormous potential adverse economic impact; the lack of an adequate regulatory impact analysis as a basis for policy; many design features of its Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS); and the rushed process. Read more
The New Zealand Business Roundtable welcomes the review of the Holidays Act 2003 which is one of the most problematic areas of New Zealand employment law. We believe it needs to be substantially reformed on a first-principles basis. Read more
We regard the NZIER and Infometrics as reputable consultancy organisations. Having said that, we cannot emphasise too strongly that the NZIER/Infometrics report isnot a Regulatory Impact Statement. Read more
This submission on the Commerce Commission's 30 June 2009 Draft Report recommending the designation of mobile termination access services (incorporating mobile-to-mobile voice termination, fixed-to mobile voice termination and short-message-service termination) is made by the New Zealand Business Roundtable, an organisation comprising primarily chief executives of major New Zealand business firms. The purpose of the organisation is to contribute to the development of sound public policies that reflect overall New Zealand interests. Read more
The Local Government Forum welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill. Overall, the Forum supports the Bill's intent and recommends that it should proceed - subject to specific comments in this submission. Read more
Most business organisations are saying that now that Australia, and perhaps the United States, are planning to put a price on carbon in some way, New Zealand should do likewise. But the issue is a political one, given that all New Zealanders will ultimately bear the costs of policy action. Read more
The Business Roundtable believes New Zealand is facing grave economic problems, many of them the result of policy errors in recent years. They are both of a short-term nature due to the international crisis and longer term due to the slump in productivity growth. Read more
We see the agreement as furthering New Zealand's efforts to become an open and competitive economy with strong links to the rest of the world. Trade liberalisation policies going back some 25 years have put the country in a sound position to benefit from freer trade with China. Read more
The Business Roundtable believes that the mandate of local authorities should be more tightly constrained. As a general rule, councils should only be permitted to engage in those activities, including regulatoryactivities, that fall within the proper role of government (as opposed to the private sector) and that should be the responsibility of local rather than central government. Read more
The Business Roundtable has had reservations about the TSO from the outset and agrees it is now outdated. It fails most, if not all, tests of good public policy. Read more