Chapter 3: Examples of Issues SBAG Worked On During 2004-2005
SBAG has been in place since
October 2003. We believe our work has allowed the concerns of small business to
be clearly and distinctly represented to officials and politicians.
Officials have been receptive to our efforts and have helped us to build networks
within departments. Gaining knowledge of how government policy is generated and
implemented is becoming a critical component of our work. In this way, the concerns
of SMEs can be better
understood by officials, and we can be better informed on where most effectively
to focus our attention.
In the past year, we have contributed to a wide range of policy discussions.
Not all the outcomes are what we would have preferred, but our input meant that
a number of policy proposals were altered to reflect the needs and realities of
SMEs.
The lists below include many of the issues that
SBAG had some influence on,
was consulted on, or was advised about.
Policy That
SBAG Influenced
(Note that, although changes may have been made, the policy may not reflect
SBAG's preferred outcome.)
- Review of fringe benefit tax regime
- ACC programmes for
small business
- DoL Pure Business regulation project
- Biz.org.nz portal
- DoL employers' guide to hiring
staff
- NZTE Market Development
Assistance Scheme
- NZTE advisory boards
for business
- Workplace Productivity
- Holidays Act
- Statistics Department reporting of business statistics
Policy That
SBAG Was Consulted On
- IRD Payroll initiative
- Provisional tax payments
- Depreciation regime
- Single economic market with Australia
- Project Collaboration (now Business Capability Partnership)
- Workplace Savings Scheme (aka Kiwisaver)
- ACC levies for small
business
Policy That
SBAG Was Advised About
- MAF regulations
and charges
- Annual review of the minimum wage
- HSNO
regulation
- DoL evaluation of the implementation
of the Holidays Act
- IT strategy, e-government and
e-commerce
- Government procurement
- New Zealand-China free trade agreement
- Work-Life Balance
In Addition, We Sponsored the Following Pieces of
Research
- The definition and measurement of management capability
- Access to finance for New Zealand
SMEs
- The characteristics of high growth firms
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