Katherine Rich MP
National Party Economic Development Spokeswoman

Wayne Mapp MP
National Party Industrial Relations Spokesman

24 October 2006

Labour again refuses to help small business

The Labour Government's response to the Small Business Advisory Group's second report shows it is paying only lip service to the needs of business, says National Economic Development spokeswoman Katherine Rich.

"This response is typical of Labour when it comes to dealings with the business community.

"It accepts small, fringe recommendations while ignoring the bigger issues like the recommendation to introduce a personal grievance-free probation period for new staff, and changes to the Holidays Act.

"It's like agreeing to add salt to a sandwich while saying no to the meat.

"The Labour Government continues to pay lip service to the advisory group's recommendations. There is little merit in Labour continuing to commission report after report if it's not going to follow basic advice," says Mrs Rich.

National Party Industrial Relations spokesman Wayne Mapp says employment laws are one of the biggest concerns of business, and it defies belief that Labour has failed to act.

"Labour has pretended to consult with the SME sector through this advisory group, but then has made a mockery of the process by refusing to lift a finger about probationary periods.

"Probationary periods - like the 90-day period proposed in my Member's Bill - were identified early on by the advisory group as its key concern. Despite that, Labour refuses to do anything about it. That's not good enough."

ENDS

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