Latest news with #RobScott
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Leaders open to council merger
Greymouth Mayor Tania Gibson. Photo: Grey District Council A "mega merger" of the West Coast's four councils into a unitary structure is not off the cards, local government leaders say. Southland District Mayor Rob Scott has just backed a full-scale merger in the Deep South. On the West Coast, an attempt in 2015 to merge the four councils through a citizens-initiated referendum resulted in the Local Government Commission ordering a combined district plan instead — Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TTPP). Greymouth Mayor Tania Gibson said the region's leaders were always talking about ways of working more closely but much of that had yet to move beyond discussion. "I'm not opposed to it ... it has to come as far as I'm concerned, and it will come eventually." However, merging councils could also effectively mean "throwing out the baby with the bath water" and ending in "bureaucratic excess," Mrs Gibson said. Buller Mayor Jamie Cleine said he did not believe the current government had an appetite to impose amalgamations on the West Coast, "but I wouldn't be surprised". "I honestly think Local Water Done Well will be a bit of a test as to how councils work together," he said. Buller, Grey and Westland district councils are considering forming a joint company or CCO (council-controlled organisation) to take over three waters (drinking water, wastewater and stormwater) functions throughout the region. West Coast Regional Council chairman Peter Haddock said he believed a restructure had to come, based on the need for "rates affordability". It would have to be on the basis of "fair representation" across the whole region. He could foresee that, bringing about at least a two-council unitary authority structure that absorbed the current environmental functions of the regional council and combined with the current Westland and Grey district councils into a southern West Coast unitary council. "There's got to be a way forward in the future. That's a question for the new council. "However, the one plan [TTPP] is the key to it," Cr Haddock said. The TTPP provided a model for collaboration by implementing a regime "run by the same set of planning rules" regardless of local authority boundaries in the region. "That will be the founding document for it going forward. "[But] I still believe there has to be some form of service centre in Buller, Grey and Westland." Mr Cleine said he could definitely see a merger coming but he did not sense any real groundswell yet to formally instigate it. "There isn't an appetite I don't think for a full governance merger-type scenario — just because of our geography." He had "no fixed views" on the possibility, apart from not wanting Buller district swallowed up by a mega council administering the whole region. "We shouldn't rule out some form of closer working together on the West Coast ... apart from not having one structure." He agreed the Local Water Done Well reform was an important step and a tangible foretaste for wider restructure. The joint CCO proposal was a "no-brainer to access cheaper capital" for asset provision, given the Westland, Grey and Buller councils faced a combined bill of $250 million to upgrade three-waters infrastructure. If that got runs on the board it might give more impetus to other efforts to come together, Mr Cleine said. "Seeing how that lands and getting that up and running could be a good vehicle to look at other areas." Westland Mayor Helen Lash was not available for comment. — Greymouth Star
Perth Now
26-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
‘I don't apologise': Bunnings boss responds
Wesfarmers chief executive Rob Scott has hit back at an ABC Four Corners documentary accusing Bunnings of pressuring suppliers, stifling competition and inflating prices, saying he 'does not apologise for trying to build a successful business'. The episode aired last week and put the beloved Australian hardware giant under scrutiny, highlighting supplier complaints and examining the chain's $19bn revenue and $3.2bn profit in 2024, figures that equate to a 16.8 per cent profit margin, nearly double that of supermarket giants Woolworths and Coles. Speaking on Sky News' Business Weekend, Mr Scott defended Bunnings' operations and rejected the suggestion that the company engaged in unfair practices. 'We pay our team members more than well above the award rates, the relationships we have with our thousands of suppliers are very strong and longstanding,' Mr Scott said. Bunnings Warehouse has been accused of stifling competition and inflating prices. NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia 'Now, occasionally, businesses make mistakes and when they do make a mistake, it's important that they own it and face into it.' Mr Scott also acknowledged that Bunnings' presence in certain retail precincts could put pressure on competitors but maintained this was ultimately a benefit to customers. 'There is pressure on the competition, but at the end of the day someone has to be there for the customer, right?' he said. 'Someone has to offer great value to customers and remembering as well that I don't apologise for trying to build a successful business in Bunnings.' He added that the company was contending with major global retailers and remained focused on maintaining local jobs and opportunities. 'We are fighting tooth and nail against some very big and fierce international competitors in the retail space and we would rather that those jobs and those opportunities stay within Bunnings,' he told Sky News. Wesfarmers chief executive Rob Scott said he 'does not apologise for trying to build a successful business'. Credit: Supplied The ABC report also flagged concerns from suppliers who alleged the company marked up products significantly to boost profits, with critics claiming Bunnings' pricing strategy was misleading. In response, Bunnings said its margins weren't directly comparable with supermarkets because of the nature of its stock and slower product turnover. Bunnings' business practices are also expected to come under further scrutiny as part of a federal Senate inquiry into the market power of so-called 'big box' retailers, including Ikea and Costco. In a statement following the Four Corners broadcast, Bunnings managing director Mike Schneider said the company 'strongly rejects any suggestions made in the program that we engage in anti-competitive behaviour, bullying, underpayment of our team or that we seek to limit consumer choice or the application of our price guarantee. 'We want to reaffirm our commitment to the values that have guided our business for decades which is in direct contrast to the characterisations made by the ABC.'
West Australian
26-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
‘I don't apologise': Bunnings boss responds to ABC claims
Wesfarmers chief executive Rob Scott has hit back at an ABC Four Corners documentary accusing Bunnings of pressuring suppliers, stifling competition and inflating prices, saying he 'does not apologise for trying to build a successful business'. The episode aired last week and put the beloved Australian hardware giant under scrutiny, highlighting supplier complaints and examining the chain's $19bn revenue and $3.2bn profit in 2024, figures that equate to a 16.8 per cent profit margin, nearly double that of supermarket giants Woolworths and Coles. Speaking on Sky News' Business Weekend, Mr Scott defended Bunnings' operations and rejected the suggestion that the company engaged in unfair practices. 'We pay our team members more than well above the award rates, the relationships we have with our thousands of suppliers are very strong and longstanding,' Mr Scott said. 'Now, occasionally, businesses make mistakes and when they do make a mistake, it's important that they own it and face into it.' Mr Scott also acknowledged that Bunnings' presence in certain retail precincts could put pressure on competitors but maintained this was ultimately a benefit to customers. 'There is pressure on the competition, but at the end of the day someone has to be there for the customer, right?' he said. 'Someone has to offer great value to customers and remembering as well that I don't apologise for trying to build a successful business in Bunnings.' He added that the company was contending with major global retailers and remained focused on maintaining local jobs and opportunities. 'We are fighting tooth and nail against some very big and fierce international competitors in the retail space and we would rather that those jobs and those opportunities stay within Bunnings,' he told Sky News. The ABC report also flagged concerns from suppliers who alleged the company marked up products significantly to boost profits, with critics claiming Bunnings' pricing strategy was misleading. In response, Bunnings said its margins weren't directly comparable with supermarkets because of the nature of its stock and slower product turnover. Bunnings' business practices are also expected to come under further scrutiny as part of a federal Senate inquiry into the market power of so-called 'big box' retailers, including Ikea and Costco. In a statement following the Four Corners broadcast, Bunnings managing director Mike Schneider said the company 'strongly rejects any suggestions made in the program that we engage in anti-competitive behaviour, bullying, underpayment of our team or that we seek to limit consumer choice or the application of our price guarantee. 'We want to reaffirm our commitment to the values that have guided our business for decades which is in direct contrast to the characterisations made by the ABC.'
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘I don't apologise': Bunnings boss responds
Wesfarmers chief executive Rob Scott has hit back at an ABC Four Corners documentary accusing Bunnings of pressuring suppliers, stifling competition and inflating prices, saying he 'does not apologise for trying to build a successful business'. The episode aired last week and put the beloved Australian hardware giant under scrutiny, highlighting supplier complaints and examining the chain's $19bn revenue and $3.2bn profit in 2024, figures that equate to a 16.8 per cent profit margin, nearly double that of supermarket giants Woolworths and Coles. Speaking on Sky News' Business Weekend, Mr Scott defended Bunnings' operations and rejected the suggestion that the company engaged in unfair practices. 'We pay our team members more than well above the award rates, the relationships we have with our thousands of suppliers are very strong and longstanding,' Mr Scott said. 'Now, occasionally, businesses make mistakes and when they do make a mistake, it's important that they own it and face into it.' Mr Scott also acknowledged that Bunnings' presence in certain retail precincts could put pressure on competitors but maintained this was ultimately a benefit to customers. 'There is pressure on the competition, but at the end of the day someone has to be there for the customer, right?' he said. 'Someone has to offer great value to customers and remembering as well that I don't apologise for trying to build a successful business in Bunnings.' He added that the company was contending with major global retailers and remained focused on maintaining local jobs and opportunities. 'We are fighting tooth and nail against some very big and fierce international competitors in the retail space and we would rather that those jobs and those opportunities stay within Bunnings,' he told Sky News. The ABC report also flagged concerns from suppliers who alleged the company marked up products significantly to boost profits, with critics claiming Bunnings' pricing strategy was misleading. In response, Bunnings said its margins weren't directly comparable with supermarkets because of the nature of its stock and slower product turnover. Bunnings' business practices are also expected to come under further scrutiny as part of a federal Senate inquiry into the market power of so-called 'big box' retailers, including Ikea and Costco. In a statement following the Four Corners broadcast, Bunnings managing director Mike Schneider said the company 'strongly rejects any suggestions made in the program that we engage in anti-competitive behaviour, bullying, underpayment of our team or that we seek to limit consumer choice or the application of our price guarantee. 'We want to reaffirm our commitment to the values that have guided our business for decades which is in direct contrast to the characterisations made by the ABC.'
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘I don't apologise': Bunnings boss responds to ABC claims
Wesfarmers chief executive Rob Scott has hit back at an ABC Four Corners documentary accusing Bunnings of pressuring suppliers, stifling competition and inflating prices, saying he 'does not apologise for trying to build a successful business'. The episode aired last week and put the beloved Australian hardware giant under scrutiny, highlighting supplier complaints and examining the chain's $19bn revenue and $3.2bn profit in 2024, figures that equate to a 16.8 per cent profit margin, nearly double that of supermarket giants Woolworths and Coles. Speaking on Sky News' Business Weekend, Mr Scott defended Bunnings' operations and rejected the suggestion that the company engaged in unfair practices. 'We pay our team members more than well above the award rates, the relationships we have with our thousands of suppliers are very strong and longstanding,' Mr Scott said. 'Now, occasionally, businesses make mistakes and when they do make a mistake, it's important that they own it and face into it.' Mr Scott also acknowledged that Bunnings' presence in certain retail precincts could put pressure on competitors but maintained this was ultimately a benefit to customers. 'There is pressure on the competition, but at the end of the day someone has to be there for the customer, right?' he said. 'Someone has to offer great value to customers and remembering as well that I don't apologise for trying to build a successful business in Bunnings.' He added that the company was contending with major global retailers and remained focused on maintaining local jobs and opportunities. 'We are fighting tooth and nail against some very big and fierce international competitors in the retail space and we would rather that those jobs and those opportunities stay within Bunnings,' he told Sky News. The ABC report also flagged concerns from suppliers who alleged the company marked up products significantly to boost profits, with critics claiming Bunnings' pricing strategy was misleading. In response, Bunnings said its margins weren't directly comparable with supermarkets because of the nature of its stock and slower product turnover. Bunnings' business practices are also expected to come under further scrutiny as part of a federal Senate inquiry into the market power of so-called 'big box' retailers, including Ikea and Costco. In a statement following the Four Corners broadcast, Bunnings managing director Mike Schneider said the company 'strongly rejects any suggestions made in the program that we engage in anti-competitive behaviour, bullying, underpayment of our team or that we seek to limit consumer choice or the application of our price guarantee. 'We want to reaffirm our commitment to the values that have guided our business for decades which is in direct contrast to the characterisations made by the ABC.'
