A week in advocacy 

Market studies risky for industry

Market studies lead to more regulation and should be used with care, says BusinessNZ’s Kirk Hope.  Commenting on the Commerce Commission’s market study of the retail fuel industry, he said lower petrol prices would be welcome but achieving them through market studies and regulation brought risks.

Sustainability mindset increasing

I increasingly see CEOs and directors with a sustainability mindset, reflected Abbie Reynolds in her farewell comments as she stepped down as Sustainable Business Council head this week.  The SBC’s work has ramped up the shift to sustainable business, Abbie said.  New SBC head Mike Burrell takes over in January.

Costs to business from bank changes

NZ banks are already well capitalised and requiring them to hold substantially more capital will simply drive up costs for bank customers.  BusinessNZ is calling for further public consultation on requirements announced this week, saying business customers would bear the brunt of the changes.

Tertiary institutions and business getting closer

BusinessNZ CEO Kirk Hope has been appointed to the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission.  His appointment coincides with changes to tertiary training institutions – the Reform of Vocational Education - that will demand closer engagement of tertiary institutions with business, he says.
 

Government procurement could be better

The Auditor General says more work is needed to improve government procurement performance.  BusinessNZ’s Catherine Beard agrees, saying many businesses sign up to be part of panels (of suppliers pre-approved to provide goods or services to government agencies), but are still ignored when procurement decisions are made.
 

Business facing higher landfill charges

Higher landfill charges are not the answer to reducing waste, says BusinessNZ economist John Pask.  The Government wants an increased levy on all waste going to landfills - from $10 to $60 a tonne - but this wouldn’t address the most harmful waste, nor would a levy based on weight do much to reduce plastic waste in landfills, John Pask says.

Coming up

• Latest results for the manufacturing industry in 2019 PMI published 11 December
• Latest results for services sector in 2019 PSI published 14 December
• Applications now open for the 2020 Sustainability Leaders Programme workshop  supporting business leaders’ accountability for sustainable outcomes