Compliance Act Initiative Must Be Followed Through

August 22, 2002

Compliance Act Initiative Must Be Followed Through With Real Action Says Wellington Chamber President

“Dr Cullen’s proposal to get officials looking at business compliance realities is a novel way of gaining a better understanding of the costs and problems created for business by Government, Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce President Barrie Saunders said in statement today.

“There are far to many people who think there is virtually no problem that cannot be solved by legislation or regulation. As a consequence business is being overwhelmed by waves of legislation and regulation they struggle to handle.

“Very few businesses can afford to employ full time advisers, and most medium to small businesses resent having to engage expensive professional advice, to get them through the legal jungle created by a Parliament, which seems to be unaware that very few businesses are managed by law graduates.

“However it is important the Government understands this is not just about the better design of official forms and a little bit of process streamlining.

“The real problems are much deeper. They include laws relating to employment and safety and the Resource Management Act, all of which are supported by strong political constituencies. Do we have a government prepared to face down those who generate costs for business, and slow economic growth, for little or zero gain on any other front? If the current initiative is not followed by a serious look at how all new legislation will affect compliance costs and economic growth, then it will achieve very little.

“Let’s hope that better knowledge on the part of officials will diminish the enthusiasm of some bureaucrats and politicians to legislate or regulate for every perceived problem they stumble over”, Mr Saunders said.

Issued by Barrie Saunders
President, Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce
04 914 1753

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