3. Business Confidence—Impact of Employment Law and Tax ReformsHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister of FinanceBusiness Confidence—Impact of Employment Law and Tax Reforms3. Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with the comments of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive regarding business confidence that It's the impact of a number of things adding to a climate of uncertainty and that's what's at the heart of the lack of confidence"?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Acting Minister of Finance): On behalf of the Minister of Finance I agree that there are a number of things that impact business confidence readings including staffing challenges the international situation and an historical lack of investment in the nation's infrastructure and I note that the quote contained in the question was more than eight weeks ago. The coalition Government is working in partnership with business on policies to transition the economy away from growth dependent upon property speculation and population growth and toward more productive sustainable and inclusive growth that benefits all New Zealanders.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Does he agree that uncertainty over issues like employment law reforms potential new taxes immigration changes and more than 150 working groups have a real impact on Kiwi families because it means businesses are less likely to invest and hire new workers?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I reject several premises in the member's question.Hon Member: Which ones?Hon Paul Goldsmith: Heh indeed.SPEAKER: Is that a Muldoon impression is it?Hon Paul Goldsmith: How can a business have the confidence to lift wages and employ new staff when his own Government isn't clear about the status of its employment reforms?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The Government is clear. I note of course that the legislation the former Minister appears to be referring to is the responsibility of another Minister. But a return to the conditions found under the previous Labour-led Government when economic growth averaged above 3 percent over the whole nine years might not be a bad thing. The bill that's out there on employment relations is achieving the right balance again.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Does he think people are more or less likely to invest in new businesses and create new jobs or opportunities for Kiwi workers if they're uncertain whether or not they have to pay a capital gains tax on that investment? Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The member refers of course to the interim report from the Tax Working Group which will be released shortly and so I'm not going to discuss an interim report or comment on it before then. I remind the member that the group was set up to review the fairness balance and structure of the tax system. I note that when there is fairness balance and the right structure we will have a more productive economy and when the parameters around that are clear business will have confidence. Hon Paul Goldsmith: Is it true that a deal is being done—changes to the Employment Relations Amendment Bill in return for New Zealand First's support for more refugees—and if so do those sorts of deals not compound the sense of unpredictability—Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That is outside of the Standing Orders. We don't do those sorts of nasty self-serving deals. Hon Gerry Brownlee: Point of order. Hon Paul Goldsmith: Speaking to the point of order—SPEAKER: No no I don't need any support from anyone. It was a question with a questionable premise in it but it's not unusual for members on both sides to have questionable premises in their supplementary questions. Hon Paul Goldsmith: Shall I finish that? I didn't call it a filthy deal; I just called it a deal.SPEAKER: Right. Well at that point the member just lost a supplementary. Hon Paul Goldsmith: Just that one or—SPEAKER: No you've lost—you've had one crack and you've just lost another one. It was deliberately disorderly. [Interruption] Order! Hon Gerry Brownlee: We're waiting on an answer to that one still. Hon Paul Goldsmith: Oh yes I'll have an answer to the first one if that's all right. SPEAKER: Well the member—if he can remember what was said roughly. Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Firstly any deal is not my responsibility and I'd note that on this side of the House we don't do things like they do it in Epsom."