Govt policies biting on business

The lack of business savvy being displayed by the Government is beginning to bite, according to the National Party Forestry spokesman Brian Connell.

He's commenting after the 12 cent dip in Fletcher Building shares despite the posting of a record half year profit.

"The CEO is blaming 'unnecessary handicaps' including the threat to power supplies and short term price spikes," Mr Connell says.

"There's more than just Maui gas outages behind that uncertainty, businesses also fear the 'handicap' of the Government ratifying the Kyoto protocol.

"It'll inevitably reduce the competitiveness of New Zealand business as our major trading partners aren't clobbered by the same anti-business practices!

"Smart business people know that if you don't have clear fixed costs then your enterprise faces uncertain times," says Mr Connell.

"This type of environment does not attract investors or investment.

"They'll simply go offshore where they can get certainty," he says.

"With a question mark hanging over how New Zealand will satisfy its future energy needs and with prices already on the rise, it's clear the Government's in the dark about how to solve the crisis.

"If cabinet had more business experience, perhaps it would have given this issue the attention it deserves," Mr Connell says.

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