ACT Warns Government Will Push Carters To OZ
Monday 15th May 2000
Ken Shirley
Media Release --
Economy
ACT is warning the Government that its anti-business policies will drive Carter Holt Harvey across the Tasman.
ACT Forestry Spokesman Ken Shirley today said it showed Government’s ignorance of business that at a time when strong rumours are circulating that New Zealand could lose Carter Holt Harvey, the Government had not even contacted the company to discuss its continued investment in New Zealand.
Carters Chief Chris Liddell today said the Government’s legislation to hike up tax rates and force employers back into a monopoly ACC were driving businesses off shore.
Ken Shirley said the problem lay with the Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton and Michael Cullen who believed Government, not businesses created jobs. “While Jim Anderton focuses on his crazy make work schemes, Carter Holt Harvey is deciding whether or not to invest ‘a large amount’ of its $2 billion left from the sale of its Chilean subsidiary, Copec, in New Zealand,” said Ken Shirley.
“Jim Anderton should be doing all he can to encourage Carter Holt to make that investment. That is the type of investment that creates jobs and growth,” he said.
Chris Liddell’s comments also highlighted that the Government has no dialogue with the businesses vital to the New Zealand economy. “This total breakdown in communications is very serious when the Government is pushing through job destroying legislation like ACC and the Employment Relations Bill.
“Chris Liddell’s comments today show it’s not just a case of Government ignoring the advice of businesses – Government is not even talking to them,” said Hon Ken Shirley. ENDS
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.