MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday 23 December 1999

EMPLOYERS ON SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

Commenting on this week's speech from the throne, which outlines the new Government's plans, New Zealand Employers' Federation CEO, Steve Marshall said, "It is good to see the new Government start to paint a picture of a bigger vision. We live in a fast-changing world and we need to have a sense of where we are heading. This new Government is starting to provide that leadership.

While supporting the general thrust of things, Mr Marshall said the business community would be seriously concerned about some specific issues, notably the reversal of the recent ACC reforms, repealing of the ECA, and raising taxes.

Mr Marshall said he hoped that the new Government would listen to the real concerns of the business community before new policies were implemented.

"We look forward to working with this administration to ensure practical, sensible outcomes that enhance growth and jobs," he concluded.

Contact:
Steve Marshall, CEO
Conor English, Manager Corporate Communications 04 499 4111

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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>>