Parliament is considering a bill to amend the Local Government Act 2002 passed by the last government. It is a chance to improve democracy and performance in our councils. Read more
A few weeks ago I decided to look out for examples of economic fallacies that routinely appear in our media. It didn’t take long to make a list. Read more
It’s often said that “politics is the art of the possible”, usually by politicians who know they should be doing something in the overall national interest but aren’t willing or able to do it. The contrast is with Winston Churchill’s statement, “It is no use saying ‘we are doing our best’. Read more
The Business Roundtable is pleased that the government is giving effect to its manifesto commitment to hold another referendum on the voting system. This was expected by many voters when the mixed-member proportional (MMP) system was introduced. Read more
A fundamental law of economics is that you can control the price of something or the quantity supplied, but not both. We saw that law in operation in the old Soviet system, with rationing and queues, and during the Muldoon wage and price freeze. Read more
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