Tuesday, February 14, 2006
PM's epiphany: business first
The Northern Employers & Manufacturers Association heartily congratulates the Prime Minister on her Statement to Parliament for setting her
Government's emphasis first and foremost on business success.
"We applaud the PM's speech to Parliament for her recognition that 'we need a strong economy to deliver the living
standards, the services, and the quality of life which the citizens of our first world country expect, deserve, and are
prepared to work for.'
"This has been our mantra for at least the past six years," said Alasdair Thompson, EMA's chief executive.
"To hear the PM singing the same song, before mentioning regulation, and social interventions and programmes, is music
to our ears.
"Business is keen to engage on the Statement's issues and strategies.
"New Zealand most certainly does need 'higher productivity, business investment, and skills levels, and more innovation
in the economy.'
"We hope Government will pursue these objectives only after listening carefully to business for recommendations on
making its policies sustainable, to lift our living standards and quality of life."
ENDS