Media release 17 October 2002

One-horse race brings no surprises

The narrow consultation process for the Government's climate change policy has brought a predictable outcome, says Business NZ.

Chief Executive Simon Carlaw says the Government presented business and industry groups with only one option - its 'preferred policy package' - instead of consulting on a range of possibilities for responding to climate change.

"The unsurprising result of this high-speed one-horse race is an only slightly amended version of the Government's preferred policy," Mr Carlaw said.

"New Zealand businesses will be disappointed but not surprised at the policy released today. Like the documents that preceded it, the policy seeks to infringe property rights and introduce carbon taxes, while glossing over likely negative economic consequences, especially the impact on New Zealand's trading competitiveness.

"The policy does acknowledge that small and medium sized business have been overlooked with regard to shelter from the impact of emissions charges. It is to be hoped that the Government's investigation of this oversight will be based on effective consultation before any steps are decided."

ENDS

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