The Bill arises from concerns expressed by ratepayers about the strong growth of local government expenditure and the resulting increases in rates. It also arises from the need for local government, which is a significant component of the economy, to positively contribute to the Government's economic goals. Read more
Calls are mounting for the next phase of the government’s emissions trading scheme, due to commence on 1 July 2010, to be deferred. There are strong arguments for a temporary suspension of the scheme. Read more
Blimey, stone the crows! A few weeks ago something happened in Australia that I never believed possible. Read more
The annual budget is the main statement of the government’s overall economic and social programme. So in the first instance it needs to be evaluated in terms of the government’s own goals. Read more
Each year at about this time the OECD puts out a report on tax covering its member countries. Each year some media and politicians can be counted on to misinterpret it. Read more
We made our first submission on these issues in November 2004 and our last submission was in July 2009. Throughout we have been greatly concerned about the implications for investment in infrastructure of the never-ending litigation and re-litigation of pricing issues. Read more
As an example of poor quality public policy analysis, the Law Commission’s report on alcohol regulation will be a landmark for years to come. A 514-page doorstop, it ranks with the 1988 report of the Royal Commission on Social Policy which was dead on arrival. Read more
In our view issues relating to Part 6A of the Employment Relations Act need to be seen in the context of the government’s overriding goal of lifting average New Zealand incomes to Australian levels by 2025. As the minister of labour notes in the foreword to the Discussion Document, “The Government aims to put employment relations on sound and solid footings so that New Zealand can focus on building more productive businesses and higher wages.” To achieve that goal, major improvements in labour productivity growth are required, given the slump in productivity growth resulting in large part from ill-conceived policies of the previous government. Read more
In our view issues relating to Part 6A of the Employment Relations Act need to be seen in the context of the government’s overriding goal of lifting average New Zealand incomes to Australian levels by 2025. As the minister of labour notes in the foreword to the Discussion Document, “The Government aims to put employment relations on sound and solid footings so that New Zealand can focus on building more productive businesses and higher wages.” To achieve that goal, major improvements in labour productivity growth are required, given the slump in productivity growth resulting in large part from ill-conceived policies of the previous government. Read more
Compulsory students’ association membership (CSM), as opposed to voluntary students’ association membership (VSM), is an anachronism. Students’ associations are incorporated societies formed by members with common interests and are akin to the Automobile Association, the Consumers' Institute, staff associations and sporting clubs. Read more
This submission on the Ministry of Economic Development discussion document Cartel Criminalisation is made by the New Zealand Business Roundtable, an organisation comprising primarily chief executives of major business firms. The purpose of the organisation is to contribute to the development of sound public policies that reflect overall national interests. Read more
In our view, issues relating to Part 9 of the Employment Relations Act 2000 need to be seen in the context of the government’s overriding goal of lifting average New Zealand incomes to Australian levels by 2025. To achieve that goal, major improvements in labour productivity growth are required, given the staggering decline in recent productivity growth rates with the ill-conceived policies of the previous government. Read more
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
Landowners have traditionally been required to bear the capital cost of works that are undertaken within subdivisions and developments and are necessary to enable council provided services to be used. Landowners have also been required to compensate local authorities for certain costs that councils incur in connecting council provided services for land that is subdivided or developed. Read more