In 1996 parliament passed legislation to give effect to the government's tax reduction and social policy programme. The programme provided for a reduction in personal rates of tax in July 1996 and 1997, increases in family support and guaranteed minimum family income (GMFI), and the introduction of an independent family tax credit for low and middle income families that earn market incomes. Read more
The present review should build on the Laking reforms in establishing an efficient regulatory framework that is appropriate for the 21st century. Read more
This submission on the Working Group on CO2 Policy’s June 1996 discussion document Climate Change and CO2 Policy (the Document) is made by the New Zealand Business Roundtable (NZBR), an organisation of chief executives of major New Zealand business firms. The NZBR’s purpose is to contribute to the development of sound public policies that reflect overall New Zealand interests. Read more
This submission first outlines the harmful effects of minimum wages and the considers the reasons advanced in June 1995 by the Department of Labour in favour of increasing the minimum wage. An annex considers studies of the employment impact of the minimum wage in the US and the conflicting conclusions drawn from them. Read more
The comments in this submission are based on the view that the key reform objective should be to increase economic efficiency. This is not to ignore other considerations. Read more
This submission is presented in five sections: does the draft plan meet the requirements of the Act?, expenditure and revenue, other issues, the strategic plan, and concluding comment. Read more
This submission starts by describing the principles that local authorities should observe when deciding on the functions they will undertake. It proceeds to examine a number of the Council's functions in the light of those principles, and shows that the Council should discontinue, or modify the form of, it's involvement. Read more
Fiscal matters will be among the most important issues to be addressed by the government over the next few years. An improving fiscal outlook will provide considerable scope to reduce taxes once net debt is reduced to a prudent level. Read more
This submission on the Local Government Law Reform Bill (“the Bill”) is made jointly by the Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Building Owners and Managers Association of New Zealand (BOMA), Federated Farmers of New Zealand, the New Zealand Business Roundtable (NZBR), the New Zealand Manufacturers Federation and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. It is in response to the September 1995 submission made by the New Zealand Local Government Association (“the LGA’s submission”). Read more
This submission considers to what extend, and at what cost, the bill may further objectives of the education system. We note that until 1991, the registration regime for teachers was compulsory. Read more
This submission by the NZBR responds to the Attorney-General's invitation for comment on the report of the Solicitor-General, Appeals to the Privy Council (released on 5 May 1995), which is referred to as the "Report". The Report is understood to have been sought by the government to assist it in making an 'in principle' decision on whether or not to retain the availability of appeals to the Privy Council. Read more
The activities of the Council and its requirements for revenue to fund them affect the well-being of Aucklanders and the region generally. They can detract from economic and social well-being if they divert resources from more productive to less productive uses. Read more
The essential conclusions of our analysis are that to maximise the contribution of the kiwifruit industry to the economy and to establish a dynamic environment for kiwifruit exporting, substantial reforms to industry structures are required. Read more
