22 August 2002

Government Must 'Walk The Walk' On Compliance Costs -- National

"The Government's real commitment to reducing business compliance costs will be shown by its actions not rhetoric," says National's Transport and Industrial Relations spokesman Roger Sowry.

Mr Sowry was commenting on claims by Finance Minister Michael Cullen that the new Government intends focussing on cutting business compliance costs.

"Dr Cullen can certainly talk the talk, but the business community is more interested in what the Government will actually deliver.

"No better test of this would be acting on the recommendations of Business NZ's submission to the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee and not proceeding with its Health and Safety in Employment Amendment Bill.

"Business NZ found that the overwhelming response from employers to this proposed legislation is that it would add increased complexity, uncertainty and substantial compliance costs for business.

"If the Government is really committed to reducing compliance costs it would not be introducing more red tape and regulations for business as outlined in this new legislation," Mr Sowry says.

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