Business gets chance to have own say

One day after the Government tables its draft Employment Relations bill business people will be able to grill Labour Minister Margaret Wilson and other key Cabinet ministers at an Auckland conference.

The Business Environment 2000 conference, organised by the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) and sponsored by the Business Herald, will be held at the Aotea Centre on March 15 and 16.

"There is so much change coming through with the new Government that we needed to give the business community the chance for a whole new rethink on how they are going to manage the new environment," said Alasdair Thompson, EMA Northern's chief executive.

Speakers will include Finance Minister Michael Cullen, ACC Associate Minister Ruth Dyson, ACC chief executive Garry Wilson, CTU president Ross Wilson and Reserve Bank Governor Don Brash.

Business speakers will include Ralph Norris, ASB Bank managing director and Business Roundtable chairman, economist Murray Weatherston, Terry Arnold of Air New Zealand, Simon Carlaw of the Manufacturers Federation and Anne Knowles of the Employers Federation.

Sessions will cover topics such as changes to ACC and employment legislation, the impact of centre-left government on business, New Zealand's economic development and international competitiveness, e-commerce and the economic outlook.

Further conference and registration details are available from the EMA on 0800 800 413 or 09 367 0900.