local government act

Two controversial bills opposed by business have been passed into law by
Parliament.
The Health and Safety in Employment Amendment Bill takes effect on May 5 and
most of the Local Government Bill takes effect in July.
Local Government Forum chairman Rob McLagan said businesses would see the
bills, with a boost in the minimum wage revealed this week, as negative and not
helping New Zealand return to the top half of the Organisation for Economic Co-
operation and Development (OECD).
The forum, which comprises Business New Zealand, the Business Roundtable,
Federated Farmers, the Property Council and the Forest Owners Association, has
fought the Local Government Bill, which it claims will let councils get into
non-core activities at the expense of businesses and the country.
It had wanted a fresh start on revamping local government law.
Business groups spent a year opposing the health and safety law changes, which
increase maximum fines five-fold, extend coverage ...