ASX-listed infrastructure group Downer EDI on Thursday said it will defend allegations of contraventions of competition law by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission against subsidiary Spotless Facility Services. The charges, brought as civil proceedings against Spotless as well as service providers BGIS and Ventia, were related to estate maintenance services provided to the Department of Defence. In a statement, Downer said it was of the view that neither Spotless or the two employees referred to by the ACCC engaged in unlawful conduct. It said it had provided services to the Defence department for more than 80 years and is proud of the role it played. The charges come 10 days after Downer confirmed the sale of its Spotless New Zealand catering division to the Signorelli family's Doltone Hospitality Group for an undisclosed amount.
The coalition Government has introduced its second RMA Amendment Bill to Parliament as a short-term measure before its full replacement of the RMA is developed. The new bill makes it quicker and easier to consent renewable energy projects, boosts housing supply, and reduces red tape for the primary sector. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said the changes would give effect to the Government’s Electrify New Zealand reforms and provides for new ministerial powers to require councils to amend any of their documents affecting housing supply. It also allowed them to opt out of the Medium Density Residential Standards if they could show they had provided for 30 years of housing growth in their district and unitary plans.
A snapshot from MBIE’s Te Ōhanga Māori – Māori economy – report due out in the new year reveals the Māori economy has undergone remarkable growth and transformation. Since 2018, the Māori economic contribution to New Zealand’s GDP has nearly doubled, rising from $17 billion to $30b, or 6.50% of GDP to 8.4%.
The asset base has also expanded exponentially, growing from $69b to $119b, while shifting beyond its traditional focus on agriculture, forestry, and fishing – with real estate, property services, and professional services now emerging as key contributors.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey said government would spend about $3 million to help fund essential research including a domestic visitor survey, and new research into tourism volumes and flows. Speaking at a hospitality summit in Wellington Thursday Doocey said the funding was in response to sector calls for quality data and insights so they can be confident in their decisions and planning. “Strengthening the tourism data system is vital for the growth of the sector. As we know, effective management starts with measurement and I’m confident these investments will provide valuable insights which help to improve decision-making, identify trends and create opportunities for job growth and sector expansion.” He said negotiations for the data procurements were underway, and government was considering its investment options for the remaining allocation from the Tourism Data Partnership Fund.