4. RODNEY HIDE (Leader—ACT) Link to this
to the Minister of Commerce
What action, if any, has she taken to combat red tape facing business, and how is progress being measured?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL (Minister of Commerce) Link to this
We commenced the Quality Regulation Review in May of 2006 as a result of a commitment to address regulatory barriers to business growth. There have been two milestone reports to Cabinet since then. This has been an extensive review, which has included consultation with key stakeholders, and interviews and forums around the country, where we have listened to the concerns of business directly. The Government has already announced or implemented some of the red tape reduction measures that have arisen out of the review. However, I am due to present the final report to Cabinet soon, and I will be making announcements after that.
Does the Minister believe that business does face a problem with high compliance costs, and when does she think there will be some relief in sight—not reports or consultation, but actual real relief in terms of costs facing business?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
New Zealand actually ranks very well by comparison with other jurisdictions in terms of red tape. However, I believe we can always do better. That is why we thought it was a good idea to go out and ask businesses what their concerns were and, at the same time as asking them what the problems were, ask them to identify solutions. That is why I think this has been the most effective review of red tape that this country has ever seen.
Shane JonesWhere does New Zealand currently rank in terms of the World Bank’s survey of the ease of doing business, and are there any improvements in the individual indices that may improve New Zealand’s ranking in the future?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
New Zealand ranks second only to Singapore in the survey, and that may improve as a result of the combined online company registration and allocation of an IRD number, which started last month. Sadly, it was a month too late for this year’s survey, but I raised it with the World Bank when I visited it recently, and there may be reference in its next report to what it regards as good practice.
Does the Minister really take comfort from that international survey, and has she, in her consultation trips around New Zealand, come across any person in business who believes that it is easier to do business in New Zealand than anywhere else in the world other than Singapore?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
Any small-business operator who has operated in any other jurisdiction certainly knows that.
Keith LockeI seek leave to table the most recent and best example of excessive red tape and compliance costs—namely, the Therapeutic Products and Medicines Bill.
Madam SPEAKER