The reforms proposed in the Industry Training Bill are likely to produce training more closely related to the needs of the industry and more dynamic in its response to changing needs. Nevertheless, the gains from these reforms will fall short of what might be achieved because of a number of conditions in the Bill for recognising and funding Industry Training Organisations. Read more
The NZBR is interested in encouraging the adoption of policies which maximise the efficiency of the electricity industry. It has participated in previous reviews of the industry, presenting a major submission on pricing issues to the government in 1985, and it has supported the formation of the Electricity Corporation as a state-owned enterprise and the deregulation of the generation market. Read more
The NZBR's interest in the Financial Reporting Bill (the Bill) stems from its desire to promote policies which will enhance the efficiency of New Zealand's equity and debt markets. These markets play a key role in allocating resources among alternative uses and they facilitate competition for the control of large publicly-held companies. Read more
The Bill is designed to provide a legal framework for the operation of the proposed Takeover Panel, including the formation of a takeover 'code'. In addition, the Bill offers some generalised guidelines to the Panel in its tasks and provides for enforcement of compliance with any code devised by the Panel and approved by the Minister of Justice. Read more
The NZBR has been a longstanding advocate of fundamental reform of the Accident Compensation Scheme. It is a major policy programme with a significant impact on New Zealand's international competitiveness, the capacity of the economy to grow and create jobs, and individual well-being. Read more
The general analysis on which our comments are based is an NZBR study, Retirement Income Provision, which sought to address the retirement income issue in a comprehensive way. The central finding of this study was that the future welfare of retired New Zealanders is fundamentally dependent on an increased output of goods and services from the economy. Read more
The NZBR has participated in reviews of New Zealand's disaster insurance arrangements because of the importance which it attaches to the establishment of an adequate set of policies to mitigate the economic consequences of a major disaster. Risk management techniques such as disaster insurance form part of this set of policies. Read more
Recent reviews of New Zealand education have made a strong case for greater decentralisation of education administration and self-management of individual public schools. The changes recommended include the establishment of local boards of trustees, agreed charters for each school and the deregulation of decision making over school operations. Read more
Scientific findings on the 'greenhouse' hypothesis are much less certain than implied in the paper prepared by officials. There is no agreement among scientists as to the existence or potential severitty of the hypothesised effect. Read more
The Reserve Bank bill represents a significant step towards improving New Zealand's chances of entrenching a much lower rate of inflation for the future than it has been able to achieve in recent decades. Read more
The interest in this topic flows from the importance of establishing an adequate set of policies to mitigate the economic consequences of a major natural disaster. Read more
This submission is made on behalf of the New Zealand Business Roundtable to the review of disaster insurance policy. It is submitted that New Zealand's disaster insurance policy should be examined in the widest possible context of government policy toward natural disasters. Read more
This is a comprehensive and detailed review of the existing Town and Country Planning Act and its operation. Read more