MPs support business call for a cup of tea

Newmarket Business Association

Thursday, 28 June 2007

Business delighted MPs support their call for a cup of tea

A key Auckland business lobby group is praising MPs for overwhelmingly supporting the Regulatory Responsibility Bill going to parliament's commerce select committee.

Last night during its first reading 114 MPs across the House voted in support of the bill, with only six Green MPs voting against it.

"It is very encouraging for businesses strangled by increasing regulations to hear that this bill is going to select committee to be scrutinised. Complying with regulations puts a huge cost burden on small businesses particularly," said Cameron Brewer, general manager of the Newmarket Business Association.

Rodney Hide's Regulatory Responsibility Bill establishes a simple test that every new law and regulation will be measured against.

"Having new rules analysed to see what they actually achieve, and removing those which have little benefit, will make it easier for business to actually focus on doing business.

"Hearing that this bill is progressing through parliament will be music to many people's ears, particularly this winter when we are seeing a fall in confidence and spend, ever rising costs, and the negative effects of a high dollar.

"Legislation like the Resource Management Act, the Employment Relations Act and all the workplace health and safety compliance add huge costs to business. In terms of regulation, it's time for our law makers to have a cup of tea," said Mr Brewer.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants estimates the costs of regulation is as high as $25 billion a year.

ENDS

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