31 October 2002 Media statement

Warehouse not the end recipient of funding

“Rodney Hide is wrong again, the Warehouse is not benefiting by one dollar from an Industry New Zealand grant of $75,000,” says Economic Development Minister, Jim Anderton.

“The money is going to companies that supply the Warehouse and which have a combined turnover of $35 million.

“If Rodney Hide had bothered to get the facts before he starts attacking New Zealand businesses, he would know that the Warehouse has put up $75,000 of its own funds along with $75,000 of Industry New Zealand funding to assist these 12 businesses who are suppliers to the Warehouse.

“ACT has opposed every Government measure to work with businesses to make them more productive, so it is not surprising Rodney Hide has now declared ACT to be opposed to significant business savings through environmental efficiency,” said Jim Anderton.

“Industry New Zealand has sensibly supported a project led by the Warehouse to have 12 small New Zealand companies obtain environmental certification and become environmentally and competitively efficient.

“The cost of having these 12 companies Enviro-Mark registered and generating savings of around $350,000 annually is a one off cost of $150,000, of which Industry New Zealand has put up half and the Warehouse has put up half. In other words the Warehouse is donating half the cost of the project.

“Meanwhile anti business Rodney Hide has come out attacking the Warehouse, the Government and support for business growth.

“I think Rodney Hide should just come clean and admit he won’t really be happy while the Government is working with businesses. He prefers the ‘hands-off’ state of economic decline New Zealand suffered in the 80s and 90s.

“The New Zealand economy is growing at nearly four per cent growth and working with businesses, industries and regions is a key part of the Labour Progressive Government’s strategy to take New Zealand to the top half of the OECD,” said Jim Anderton.

ENDS

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