Talkfests, but Government and business still can't dance

The plethora of talkfests, charm offensives and confidential chief executive forums has failed to persuade business that the Government's partnership model is more than rhetoric.

Ninety per cent of CEOs polled in the Herald's first "Mood of the Boardroom" survey (November 2002) said the politically promoted "partnership" model had not taken off.

Fifteen months later the relationship is yet to improve.

An overwhelming 90 per cent majority still says the Government/business partnership model is not working, in spite of the fact 43 per cent of chief executives feel initiatives to boost the ICT, biotech and creative industries are positive.

"The dialogue needs a new beginning," said an insurance player.

There is particular concern that "partnership" policies translate into advantages for some at the expense of neutral policies for all.

Griffin's Foods' Tony Nowell said if partnership refers to picking winners in under-developed regions then it has been "significantly unsuccessful".

Said CanWest's Brent Impey, "In our industry Government is a competitor and regulator - not a partner."

A dissenting player said the model was working but the business sector still remains at a less than effective level of engagement. "Relying on an EMA/Business New Zealand to be the voice of business is not allowing all views to be known."

Many business people used the survey to vent their outrage over former Labour Minister Margaret Wilson's "anti-business approach". "It's a joke - what partnership?" was a typical response.

"They are on a crusade to change the social, political and economic fabric of New Zealand by stealth and to hell with the long-term consequences."

"With Margaret Wilson now handling Commerce there will be no partnership model," said a financial sector player. "She hasn't listened to business once in the term of the current Government."

"Hopeless micro-economic policy ... [Margaret Wilson] cannot possibly compensate for Regional Development Minister Jim Anderton having friendly chats with the sectors," said a Sydney-based CEO running a transtasman company.

Anderton was given marks by some business people for trying. But others criticised a "handout mentality".

"This picking winners is nonsense - even [The Warehouse's] Stephen Tindall can get a handout!"

Even the SME sector - which gains most from feeding at the Government's grant trough - was critical. Just over 80 per cent of SMEs surveyed said the partnership model was not working.

Conversations between Government ministers and business were like "we're like two separate species", read one SME's response. "It is a bit like teaching a pig to sing ... the results are never really very good and it only annoys the pig."

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise was urged to base its policies on what business needs - rather than political need.