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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
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
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
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
Stand on the shoulders of science identifies opportunities to lift New Zealand’s economic prosperity through improving performance of the innovation ecosystem. Innovation is the key driver of prosperity of advanced economies. Read more
A national interest perspective in the context of the Law Commissions’ inquiry means giving primacy to the interests of consumers. In respect of alcohol, it does not, as in the days of pervasive controls on competition in the liquor industry, mean favouring producer interests. Read more