National would reduce compliance costs of small companies

A National-led government would immediately set up a ministerial commission to recommend cuts to small business compliance costs.

Much of the country's business regulation was ineffective and burdensome, National Party leader Bill English said, announcing his small business policy today.

New Zealand would be better off if more effort could be put into growing business.

National had a range of measures designed to reduce the "burden of bureaucracy" on business.

The commission, which would include private sector experts, would be required within six months to recommend changes to major compliance Acts.

"National is committed to amending legislation by the end of 2003."

National would introduce legislation to require each new regulation to pass a test of whether it would do more good than harm.

It would investigate compliance exemptions for small and medium businesses.

National would, as previously announced:

* drop personal and corporate taxes

* allow employers to cost their own worker cover

* retain the Employment Relations Act

* reduce Resource Management Act delays

* remove the 4c-litre petrol tax in the regions.

- NZPA

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