Media Release 28/11/1999

Employers reassured by statements from new Government leaders

The Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern) congratulates the new Labour/Alliance Government and is looking forward to contributing to the development of its policy commitments.

“The EMA is pleased the new coalition government appears to have a clear mandate,” said EMA’s chief executive, Alasdair Thompson.

“Despite misgivings over what is planned for employment law and accident insurance, employers and manufacturers will be reassured by statements from Prime Minister-elect Helen Clark, as well as from Michael Cullen, Pete Hodgson and Jim Anderton,” he said.

“On Saturday night Ms Clark made special mention that a major goal of the new government will be to see New Zealand achieves significant economic growth. We welcome this objective, and will work to ensure that any proposals that we believe will hamper the achievement of this goal are constructively pointed out.

“We recall the assurances given to us by both Dr Cullen and Mr Hodgson that whatever changes are made to our labour laws, the outcome will not take us back to the past where unions had the power to unjustifiably disrupt business and otherwise slow business and economic growth.

“All businesses will be reassured by Mr Anderton’s comment on election night that New Zealand’s well being goes hand in hand with the well being of our businesses.

“Manufacturers especially, will be reassured that under the new government the promotion of free trade will be extended to embrace the concept of fair trade.

“All business supports the commitments to increase the emphasis on education and skills development.

“However business plainly takes a jaundiced view of any increase in taxation. To mitigate the effects of the intentions to do this, we urge the new government to take a closer look at our proposals to lower the corporate tax as a valuable route to drive up investment, savings, at least match Australia’s, and assist with the Balance of Payments situation.”

Further comments: Alasdair Thompson tel 09 367 0911(bus), 09 303 3951 (hme),
025 982 024 (mob)

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