Business leaders reflect on Labor 2.0: ‘There is room for much better communication’

Labor could do more if it governed alone or in coalition with the Green Party, says SkyCity Chairman and Chairman Rob Campbell, but not all business leaders are so convinced.

On Monday, a TVNZ-Colmar Brunton poll showed Labor at 47 percent, still far ahead of the national at 33 percent, but needing the Greens, at 7 percent, to rule.

Earlier this week, the latest Newshub / Reid poll put Labor at 50.1 percent, just three weeks before the election.

SkyCity chairman and former union chief Rob Campbell said if Labor ruled alone it could be more productive.

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“Labor has done a good job of managing a difficult coalition in difficult situations during this period. But it has been far from being able to implement the kind of social, economic and environmental program that it would like, ”Campbell said.

“From my point of view as a commercial director, we need a continuous shift towards a more sustainable, productive and fair economy. We need balanced and inclusive leadership for this. So I am hopeful that Labor will be elected with that mandate, ”he said.

“Businesses need this as much as any other part of our community. Some executives and directors are drawn to the siren songs of tax cuts and lax regulation. But those calls lead backwards and companies must look forward. “

Campbell said some companies might be nervous about a coalition government with Labor and Greens, but he did not share that view.

“The [Greens] They are making a valuable contribution to issues such as the just transition to a low-emission economy, gender equality, social equity and other environmental issues. They have worked well with Labor before and can do it again. ”

Business NZ CEO Kirk Hope said that a ruling party has only the responsibility to make sure it is inclusive in its decision-making process.

“The overwhelming response from business leaders is that they want to participate in the government’s Covid-19 recovery plans.

“The job has a plan, the question is how well they are communicating it. I think this is an area where they will need to improve their game. They will have to be relentless in communicating their plans. “

Hope said companies might be concerned about a Labor-green government and would like a “no surprises” approach.

“It’s about engaging and consulting with businesses as part of the decision-making process so that there can be a ‘just transition’ plan; otherwise, businesses will be overwhelmed by additional costs they hadn’t anticipated.”

Auckland Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michael Barnett said key ministers would have to build strong partnerships with the business community if the government were run solely by Labor.

“The last six months have been predominantly colored by Covid-19 and if we are to rebuild our economy again, it will take a very good partnership with all those ministers,” Barnett said.

“The increased minimum wage and additional sick days are additional costs for businesses and clearly indicate where this government wants to go. If both parties can understand each other’s positions, then you could make the decision to introduce these standards incrementally as the economy recovers. “

Barnett said the current government had a “good, but not great” association with the business sector.

“There is room for much better communication,” he said.

But Barnett said that Robertson and Parker had made “special efforts” to work alongside the business community.