11. TODD McCLAY (National—Rotorua) Link to this
to the Minister for Economic Development
What reports has he received on the Government’s initiatives to assist small and medium sized businesses?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister for Economic Development) Link to this
I have, of course, seen reports relating to the Government’s February announcement of a suite of measures to support small business. The measures include 11 tax changes worth some $480 million, an expansion of the export credit scheme, extended jurisdiction of the disputes tribunal, expansion of business advice services, and prompt repayment requirements for Government agencies. These changes are designed to try to help small business through what are very difficult times. By way of just a couple of examples, I tell members that the package was called a brilliant start by the Motel Association of New Zealand, and Claire Massey, the director of the New Zealand Centre for SME Research, said that the package was sending the right signal that the Government was listening, and that it was here to help during a difficult time.
Has the Minister received any reports from chambers of commerce about the Government’s initiatives; if so, what do they say?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
Throughout the country, chambers of commerce have expressed their approval of the package. The Auckland Chamber of Commerce, for example, described it as a welcome investment in the small business sector. The Rotorua Chamber of Commerce, an organisation the member will be familiar with, welcomed the initiatives and indeed hosted about 320 people at a function recently to hear the Prime Minister talk about the Government’s small business package. This organisation thought that it should balance things up, and therefore agreed to host a function with the Hon Phil Goff, in which he was to outline Labour’s objections to the proposed assistance to small businesses. I am delighted to report that only four tickets were sold to that function. One of them was purchased by Steve Chadwick, and therefore there was some uncertainty that it was ever paid for, and ultimately Mr Goff’s function was cancelled.
Mr SPEAKER