INDEPENDENT NEWS

Survey shows Government suffocating business

Published: Thu 19 Dec 2002 01:50 PM
Survey shows Government suffocating business
National Party leader Bill English says the Government’s anti-business chickens are coming home to roost and there’s now black and white proof in the latest National Bank confidence survey.
“The Labour Government’s suffocating business with a raft of changes being rammed through in the lead up to Christmas.
Mr English is commenting on figures which show the level of confidence in December has slipped to its lowest point in 15 years.
“Given the current economic climate, this level of confidence should be of real concern.
“I blame Finance Minister Michael Cullen who continues to talk up the economic outlook, but business is beginning to see how Labour’s drip feeding its anti-business policies,” says Mr English.
“The National Party’s been warning of this slump in confidence, as controversial bills like Local Government, OSH, and four weeks minimum leave are forced upon us,” he says.
“Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol’s injected more uncertainty and just yesterday we learn ACC levies are going up again too.
“It should also be of major concern to the Government that the state of our airline industry’s been underlined as a contributing factor to the confidence slide,” Mr English says.
“And the mood’s not about to change according to the survey, which says retailers are now increasingly nervous about what’s in store for them.
“Small and medium sized businesses are now getting Labour’s message, loud and clear,” says Mr English.

Next in New Zealand politics

Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
By: New Zealand Government
GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan
By: New Zealand Government
New Zealand Provides Further Humanitarian Support To Gaza And The West Bank
By: New Zealand Government
High Court Judge Appointed
By: New Zealand Government
Parliamentary Network Breached By The PRC
By: New Zealand Government
Tax Cuts Now Even More Irresponsible
By: New Zealand Labour Party
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media