We have publicly commended the minister for his handling of the winter electricity shortage. Although the government inherited an imperfect market, it was wise to reject calls for further ill-conceived interventions at a time of market disruption. Read more
The NZBR has taken a close interest in Commerce Act issues because of the Commerce Act's pervasive influence on commercial decision making in New Zealand. We presented a submission on the Commerce Amendment Bill to the Commerce Select Committee in July 1999 and this submission should be read in conjunction with the earlier one. Read more
The serious deficiencies of the Local Government Act 1974 (the Act) are widely recognised. A thorough revision of the Act is warranted. Read more
The NZBR welcomes the opportunity to make this submission on the Issues Paper released by the Tax Review in June 2001. We consider the Issues Paper is a high quality document that sets out the principles that should guide tax policy development in a sound manner, clearly identifies the implications of applying those principles to the reform of the tax base, eco-taxation, tax rates, entity taxation, international tax and the tax treatment of savings and provides interested parties with an opportunity to comment on the Review's preliminary thoughts on options for reform. Read more
In our view the measures proposed in the Draft Report represent a major potential setback for the telecommunications industry in New Zealand. They could seriously deter further investment in facilities by those who have made the greatest investments in New Zealand. Read more
In general we consider the discussion paper is competent and sound. Our main criticism is its failure to highlight in chapter 5 the need to avoid imposing changes to offer back and related conditions that would have retrospective effect. Read more
This submission responds to the discussion document Reshaping New Zealand's Appeal Structure (December 2000), referred to below as 'the discussion document'. The document appears to take it as a forgone conclusion that appeals to the Privy Council will be abolished and implies that discussion is only required as to the new appeals system. Read more
The primary purpose of the tax system is to finance government expenditure. The level of government spending generally provides the best overall measure of the tax burden. Read more
The pre-funding proposal is largely an accounting exercise with no direct economic impact on the retirement income problem. As now spelled out, it is essentially a tax-smoothing scheme. Read more
We have made submissions on successive governments' Budget Policy Statements since their inception. This is because we believe that fiscal policy and the disciplines introduced by the Fiscal Responsibility Act 1994 are important for sound economic management and the quality of the communications between the government and the wider community, particularly the investment community. Read more
The NZBR commends the government for undertaking this review of the regulatory framework for pipfruit exporting. The pipfruit exporting sector is one of the most heavily regulated commercial activities in New Zealand and a fundamental overhaul of the regulatory environment is required. Read more
The Minimum Wage Act 1983 (the Act) states that the governor-general may prescribe by order in council minimum rates of wages payable to any class or classes of workers. The class or classes of workers are to be defined by reference to their ages. Read more
We have long regarded the existing legislation embodied in the Securities Amendment Act 1988 to be seriously deficient. No sound case was ever made for New Zealand's current insider trading law. Read more
In this submission we strongly urge the Committee to support a further referendum on the electoral system, in accordance with item (c) of its terms of reference. Politicians and their parties have a strong self-interest in this issue and should not second-guess, pre-empt, obstruct or subvert the public's views on electoral arrangements. Read more
The NZBR has intensively researched the issue of takeovers regulation in the last 15 years. We have consulted many international experts in finance and economics. Read more