Recent government policy changes that might affect your business

With the new government well into their 100-day plan, there are some policy changes that are being made that may affect your business. Here’s the top five changes you need to be aware of:

1. 90-day employment trials are back for all businesses

The government has extended the availability of 90-day employment trial periods for all businesses, reversing changes made in 2018, which scrapped 90-day trials for businesses with more than 20 employees.

2. The clean car discount and ‘ute tax’ has ended

The clean car discount, which allowed people to claim back up to $8,625 for an electric or hybrid vehicle, has been discontinued as has the levy on higher emissions vehicles, such as utes.

3. Fair Pay Agreements cancelled

The Fair Pay Agreements Bill has been repealed. Collective agreements can still be negotiated by unions through collective bargaining, however with the repeal of the Fair Payments Agreements Bill, any person or organisation that obtained personal information for the purpose of Fair Pay Agreement bargaining must now dispose of that information in line with the Privacy Act 2020.

4. Fuel tax changes

National have previously stated that the Auckland fuel tax, adding 11.5 cents to every litre of petrol sold in the city, is set to go. This will end on 30 June 2024.. National also wants to cancel planned fuel tax increases that would have added a further 12 cents per litre.

5. Rural regulations set to go

National and Act have committed to reducing regulation and red tape in the farming sector, though it’s not certain yet what that looks like, so we’ll keep you posted.

If you’re concerned or would like advice on how these policy changes might affect your business, drop us a line and we can chat through how this might affect you.