12. MARYAN STREET (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Commerce
What are the key features of the quality regulation review announced yesterday and what has been the response?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL (Minister of Commerce) Link to this
The Quality Regulation Taskforce will meet next week to begin work on overlaps between regulatory frameworks, sector studies, and fast-track process for change. The New Zealand Herald this morning stated that this task force with teeth has won applause from leading figures in industry. The only collective groan that was audible, we were told, was from the Opposition, which shows just how out of touch it is, because this initiative has been welcomed by business leaders from one end of the country to the other.
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
I have had very positive responses from the Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch chambers of commerce, but I particularly acknowledge the chief executive of the Otago chamber of commerce, who stated: “The Minister is on the right track. She is saying all the right things which should be signalling to the business community she does mean action. We agree with the Minister—we are in it together, now let’s get on with it.”
Peter BrownWhy has the Minister picked on the food and beverage sector, the wine industry, the retail sector, and the hospitality sector to be the first sectors to be part of the review, when many people would have thought it more appropriate to target areas of more public concern, such as transport and health?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
The major infrastructure areas the member raises are being dealt with in separate reviews, so those sectors are already being addressed—and the member knows that this Government has poured millions of dollars into transport, which is the example he uses. We have already made the announcement on the telecommunications stocktake. The reason the retail sector is there first is that it wanted to be there. Those sectors want to work with the Government to make a difference.