Labour, UF block small business inquiry

Wellington-based National MP Mark Blumsky is disappointed that Labour and United Future have blocked his request for a select committee inquiry into the needs and concerns of small business.

“Small businesses are not little big businesses. They have their own issues and concerns.

“I wrote to the commerce select committee on 31 August asking them to initiate an inquiry into issues directly affecting small business. I felt this would send a strong signal to the small business sector that they are valued by Parliament and that MPs want to make life a little easier for them.

“Small and medium enterprises are the backbone of the New Zealand economy but all too often they struggle with excessive compliance and regulatory issues.

“Many small businesspeople tell me they feel like the Government is creating a policy environment which really only applies to big corporates. A select committee inquiry seemed like a cross-party way to see what could be done about their concerns.

“It came as no surprise that Labour members on the committee voted against it. Labour has a poor record when it comes to supporting or even empathizing with small business. The fact that Lianne Dalziel’s business review will not allow Government policy to be questioned speaks volumes.

“What did surprise me though was that United Future MP Gordon Copeland cast the critical vote to defeat my request for an inquiry.

“I’m surprised because United Future went into the election saying ‘New Zealand does well when business does well. Families do well when there are businesses to employ them, and United Future is committed to continually providing a better environment in which to do business’ but when they had the chance to do just that they didn’t take it.

“I challenge United Future to stand up for their principles and support the small business inquiry,” says Mr Blumsky.

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