BRIGHT FUTURE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Employers’ Federation CEO, Steve Marshall said today that the Governments “Bright Future – 5 Steps Ahead,” are steps in the right direction.

“In general, this comprehensive package can be described as very positive and fiscally responsible. The Government has resisted the temptation to splash money all over the place and has focused on some key issues,” Mr Marshall said today.

“As employers we are pleased that the Government is encouraging young people to acquire the skills that we need in our workforce, is looking to reduce costly and frustrating compliance costs, and is removing barriers to new ideas and wealth creation.

“For its part the business community recognises its responsibilities in achieving intended outcomes. We will continue to foster positive education and training attitudes, and work with Government, Parliament, and the community, for a continuing environment of growth – particularly job growth.

“We strongly support the call for New Zealanders to take a more positive view on business. If we want more jobs and growth it is vital that New Zealanders have a supportive attitude towards those who provide the ideas, capital, and opportunities.

“This “Bright Future” package represents a change of focus. It is different. The key now is to ensure that it is implemented, and built on.

“Obviously, however, this package doesn’t stand alone. It addresses tax simplification, which is good. But with many of our competitors looking to lower their corporate tax rates, we would encourage the Government to give serious consideration to reducing the corporate tax rate here in New Zealand, sooner, rather than later,” he concluded.

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>