Many are hopeful that the government has finished paying for its political debts with taxpayer funds and might now be able to focus on addressing the issues that confront the nation in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

 Please support the advertiser

As mentioned previously in this column, clear indication has been given that there will be no relief or parity in the area of R&D tax policies but what about the other initiatives that could go a long way towards helping this country become a real player in the new knowledged-based marketplace of the 21st century.

Education
While the government is to be congratulated for its changes to the manner in which interest is charged on student loans, we still need to see more effort made to produce our universities' output of sci-tech graduates.

The massive slashing of dental degrees which the government announced early in its term seems at odds with its acknowledgement that a good supply of sci-tech graduates is critical for our country's success. Indeed, this government's record to date seems to show a regular desire to throw money at small groups with seemingly little rhyme nor reason -- while ignoring the bigger problems.

Let's hope they've wised-up and decided to consider sci-tech degrees in the same light. As I've suggested before -- why not offer a sci-tech graduates a 75% refund on course fees if they remain in New Zealand and in employment for at least three years after graduating? That could significantly boost the number of students in these areas while also helping to stem the brain-drain and providing local companies with much-needed skilled workers.

And, the effect on tax revenues is likely to be positive rather than negative -- since those graduates would be earning significant incomes during those three years -- and paying tax on those earnings. Much better than having them not study or to graduate and fly off to the USA the next day right?

Overseas Investment
Many potential overseas investors have been looking at New Zealand as a potential place to do a little business, however, to date few have considered that this country really has a clue about how to manage things in the commercial environment created by the transition from primary produce to high value goods and services.

Making our country an attractive place for overseas investors to place their funds is crucial for our fledgling industries. Many new economy startups require significant levels of funding and there simply isn't enough venture capital in New Zealand to do the job properly. We will have no option but to convince overseas investors that the economic climate here makes it more effective to invest in NZ companies rather than simply demand they move to the USA.

Let's face it -- unless we change New Zealand's attitude to new economy industries then potential investors will just pick the eyes out of our brightest and best people and businesses -- dragging them offshore so that we lose the tax revenues and profits.

Better, faster government
While this isn't a budget issue, a factor that New Zealand really needs in order to succeed at a time when products and services can be delivered in the blink of an eye to customers half a world away -- is the efficiency of government.

While it may have been acceptable 30 years ago for governments to rely on slow, cumbersome, bureaucracy-laden processes to make key decisions regarding policies that affect business -- such inefficiency and latency now places us very much on the back foot. Admittedly it's true that most other developed nations are in very much the same boat -- New Zealand ought to realise that if it can streamline and improve the efficiency of government decision-making and policy creation in this area, it would give our businesses a very real edge on their overseas peers. It's also a perfect use of the new technologies that are now available to us.

Unfortunately, reports published this week indicate that our government is way behind the 8-ball on bringing its systems into the age of new technology and that we're at least several years behind Australia and many other countries -- including even some 3rd-world ones.

Smaller is often better
Here's my final suggestion of the day. Bearing in mind the need for faster, more efficient decision/policy making, why doesn't the government appoint someone with real, practical, first-hand experience and knowledge of the technology, culture, theory and practice of the new economy as a liaison with the industry.

After more than 20 years of involvement in projects of all sizes I've become very much aware of the truth surrounding the old adage -- "no matter how many woman you put on the job, it still takes nine months to have a baby."

Rather than a small army of slow-moving bureaucrats, perhaps government's connection to industry might be better served by a lesser number of "movers and shakers" with a proven record in making things happen. I'm afraid that career politicians such as Michael Cullen and Jim Anderton appear to have no idea what it's like in the "real world (tm)" and that, understandably, makes it difficult for them to fully appreciate the need for speed and the effects that latency in the decision/policy-making process can have.

A reply to the critics
Just a reminder to those people who have labeled me as a "right wing nutter" or "anti-Labour/Alliance" -- I try to be completely non-partisan in this column. Regular readers will realise that I had no time for the silly posturing antics or endless rhetoric of the previous National-led government either.

My perspective is that each and every Kiwi pays a rather large amount of their earnings in the expectation that they will be receiving quality government and they have a right to demand it -- and complain if it's not forthcoming. Have you ever wondered why the government and so many of its departments are specifically excluded from the provisions of the Fair Trading Act?

Although one or two have suggested that I should be a member of the Business Round Table because of my views -- I think it worth pointing out that although I've been on the board of several companies, I've never, ever seen any board meeting subjected to the childish, unprofessional and immature levels of behavior and antics so regularly observed in parliament's debating chamber.

The behaviour and attitudes of our MPs would not be tolerated in any board-room in the country -- nor would it be acceptable behaviour by a classroom of 8-year-olds. Can these people not settle down and lead by example instead of repeatedly showing contempt for those who employ them by wasting their time and our money trying to "score points" or indulge in personal agendas at a time when they are supposed to be running the country?

Is it any wonder that politicians are held in lower esteem than used car salesmen these days? Sorry guys -- the respect of the people can't be gained by legislation, you've got to earn it!

As always, your feedback is welcomed.