3. SHANE JONES (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Finance
Has he received any recent reports on business reaction to the proposed changes to telecommunications regulations announced last week?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister of Finance) Link to this
I have seen numerous reports of the overwhelmingly positive response of business to the changes announced last week, including even a front page editorial from the National Business Review applauding the decision. About the only negative reaction I have seen is from the Business Roundtable, Federated Farmers—which is yet to read the fine print—and the members opposite, who, of course, opposed it before they supported it.
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I have seen a report describing the decision as bizarre and an act of political desperation that will send New Zealand into the technological backwaters. I have also seen a report indicating that legislation to implement the proposals warrants support, at least as far as a select committee. The difference between those two reports may have come as a result of reading emails from the business community, because both reports have, of course, come from the National Party.