Business NZ Chief Executive Simon Carlaw says today's Budget reflects a Government that is listening.
"A year ago the business community was complaining that the Government was not listening - that is not the case today.
It is reassuring to hear that in today's Budget the Government has picked up on Business NZ's goal of improving our OECD
ranking for GDP per capita.
"But we say the Government should lift the target higher than the top half - we should aim to reach the top 10 in the
OECD.
"Then there is the issue of how we reach the top 10. Business NZ has scored the relevant measures in the Budget with
pluses or minuses against our ability to get there.
"On an uncapped score sheet where any plus or minus score is possible, Business NZ gives the Budget an overall score of
1.
Fiscal management +1
* A conservative, careful approach to controlling expenditure * Growth target not high enough * Fiscal cap will
be hard to maintain
Transforming the economy +1
* Venture capital - Govt should not pick winners; private sector firms should call the shots in allocating funding
* Economic development & partnerships - positive developments include technology scholarships and industry partnerships
Helping New Zealanders to save -1
* Still awaiting tax simplification * Excessive compliance costs remain * Officials to focus on savings
industry, not savers themselves
Superannuation -2
* Surpluses devoted to super makes it harder to join the rest of the world & cut taxes * Partial funding does not ameliorate fiscal risk; gives NZers a false sense of security * Not tax
neutral
Education +2
* Funds for adult literacy, industry training, centres of excellence and restructuring the tertiary sector are all
good building blocks towards economic growth * Business input into establishment & operation of TEC will be essential
Environmental measures +1
* Most measures aid the tourism sector but are neutral with respect to impact on business sector overall, but
increased funding for border security is a real plus
Social services +1
* 'Making work pay' provision will be useful
Paid parental leave -1
* Absence of detail is disappointing
Trade -1
* Negotiating labour & environmental standards into trade agreements is inappropriate & unnecessary
* A rigid, non-market approach Contact Simon Carlaw 04 4966555 or 025545472, or Kathryn Asare 021555744 for more
information