Govt bid to cut red tape hailed

Jacqui Dean.

The Otago Chamber of Commerce and the Otago-Southland Employers Association are right behind any moves by the Government to cut down on the amount of red tape their members have to deal with.

Both organisations will encourage their members to identify issues and problems to put before the Rules Reduction Taskforce announced yesterday by Local Government Minister Paula Bennett.

Chamber president Ali Copeman and association chief executive John Scandrett welcomed the creation of the task force as a ''step in the right direction''.

Mrs Copeman said the reduction of red tape and compliance was particularly important to Dunedin businesses, the majority of which employed one to five people, classifying them as small.

Michael Barnett.

''When you are working in and on your business, the more time you spend on red tape, the less time you have to work in your business to make it successful.

''When I am talking to small business owners, they find difficulty creating time to deal with the red tape, which can kill off some businesses.''

Mr Scandrett said anything that could shorten the regulatory process must be welcomed.

''We are fully supportive of the task force and will be taking further steps by encouraging members to highlight issues to put before the task force.''

Mrs Bennett announced the nine members of the task force, which will be co-chaired by Waitaki MP and private secretary for local government Jacqui Dean and Michael Barnett, chief executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.

Tau Henare.

''The Rules Reduction Taskforce has been set up to get rid of loopy property rules and regulations that are stopping people from getting on with the job,'' Mrs Bennett said in a statement.

The members appointed had a wealth of experience across the building and trades sectors as well as central and local government.

Mrs Bennett had asked them to hold public hearings around the country, as well as consider submissions made online.

The task force would report back to the Government, outlining areas where it could make improvements and cut red tape.

Connal Townsend.

There was much frustration from people looking to build, redevelop or make home improvements, who were being held back by confusing, costly rules that had long since lost their relevance, she said.

''We believe there are quick fixes we can make in the short term, and some longer-term work we can do, to make things more efficient and straightforward for people.''

It would be an opportunity to determine which rules should stay or be strengthened, Mrs Bennett said.

The task force

Parliamentary private secretary for local government and Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean, co-chairwoman.

Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Barnett, co-chairman.

ICB Retaining and Construction managing director Christopher Burke (Auckland).

Far North Mayor and former National MP John Carter (Awanui).

Local government financial management and governance consultant Stephen Halliwell (Oamaru).

Former National Party MP Tau Henare (Auckland).

Pacific Helicopters partner and office manager Phillipa Murdoch (Christchurch).

Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese (Nelson).

Servicesworks Group managing director Mark Thomas (Auckland).

Property Council chief executive Connal Townsend (Auckland).