Business leaders look to work with National

November 12 2008

Business leaders look forward to working with National

Business leaders look forward to working with National on major economic and environmental issues

The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development has congratulated National on its election win - and says it looks forward to working with it on major economic and environmental issues.

Business Council chair, Nick Main, says there are a number of areas in which the Business Council position is consistent with National's policy platforms, including:

- Removing the ban on new thermal power generation

- Supporting an effective Emissions Trading Scheme

- Reforming the Resource Management Act to speed up the consenting process, without eroding its environmental impact tests.

Mr Main says the Business Council is looking forward to working with the new government to address some other major long-term sustainability issues for the country.

These include proposals for much-needed reform of the country's fresh water allocation system and the management of water quality. Growth in agriculture is increasingly at risk unless the country better manages this important resource.

Mr Main says the Business Council will also soon report on measures to improve the performance of New Zealand's houses, which could deliver big economic and other benefits.

"We look forward to discussing these with the new Government. "We plan to continue to research ways to help the country with its transition to a low carbon economy, to protect and enhance our trading position, while improving our quality of life," Mr Main says.

ENDS

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