Hodgson rubbishes business survey

By Felicity Anderson, Nzoom.com Business News Editor

Wednesday 22nd May 2002

Pete Hodgson has rubbished Business New Zealand's claims that the private sector has not been widely consulted on climate change policy and the government's intention to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.

Hodgson, convenor of the Ministerial Group on Climate Change, says Business NZ's survey looks as though it was designed to deliver a predetermined result.

"The claimed response is patently ridiculous given the extensive opportunities for business input during the climate change consultation process last year," he says.

"Somehow, despite what Business NZ says is a lack of consultation, the government managed to send out almost 25,000 invitations to consultation events, distribute 9000 consultation documents and 3750 copies of working papers and hold 63 meetings in 24 centres, attended by more than 1500 people.

"We received 557 submissions, including one from Business NZ as the national organisation representing five major regional business associations."

Business NZ's survey of 481 firms shows 96% claim they were not consulted on the potential impact of the protocol, including carbon taxes and increased costs.

It also found 85% of respondents think New Zealand is moving too fast to ratify the protocol, before its trading partners, and 94% don't have enough information on the costs of Kyoto to be able to plan properly.

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