15 December 2003

Media Release
Available for immediate use

More costs for small business

Proposed changes to the Employment Relations Act are another attack on small businesses and how they operate. Even more importantly, they appear to make a mockery of what most people believe ‘freedom of contract’ and ‘freedom of association’ really mean, says Hospitality Association Chief Executive Bruce Robertson.

Changes proposed for some sectors when businesses are sold will render the sale process difficult and complex. The result seems to be that they will have a significant negative impact on the market value when it comes time to sell up and move on.

It also appears that many of the warm fuzzy words like ‘good faith’ are going to cost a fortune in legal fees to define.

Mr Robertson also said that the timeframe for submissions was inadequate. January February was a very busy period for the hospitality industry which would make it difficult to get good industry consultation on the Bill. He called on the Select Committee to extend the submission time until the end of March.

ENDS

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