Chris Tremain MP
Associate Economic Development Spokesman

15 October 2006

Inland Revenue funds tv tax show flop

Inland Revenue spent $864,000 on a tv show aimed at small and medium-sized businesses that attracted woefully tiny audiences, says National Associate Economic Development spokesman Chris Tremain.

NBR has reported that IRD supported the production of “Business is Booming” to the tune of $72,000 an episode. On a dollar-per-minute basis, the show cost four times more than current affairs show Agenda.

Average audiences for the Saturday morning screenings were 34,700 viewers aged 25-54, while the Tuesday night screenings only attracted 25,400 viewers.

“While the IRD funding might have been well-intentioned, it is disappointing that the show cost so much and so few people watched it.

“The timing of the show was poor. Saturday mornings aren’t a good time for anybody - including busy small business owners.

“IRD should rethink its support for this show - especially in its current time slots.

“But equally, the Government should rethink the compliance burden it has heaped on small businesses.”

“Labour seems not to understand that small businesses have major issues about compliance costs.

“It is much easier to comply if the system is simple. We need to simplify the system so businesses can concentrate on being productive – not attempt to get them to watch tv shows on how to comply.”

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