ACC sits on billions, considers cutting rescue chopper

National MP Simon Power says it is a scandal that ACC is considering axing Palmerston North’s rescue helicopter while sitting on investments worth billions of dollars and making hundreds of millions of dollars profit each year.

“ACC has about $6.2 billion invested and last year made just under $500 million profit* but is perfectly happy to talk about cutting vital services.

“This is a scandal. People in rural areas, particularly farmers, pay huge ACC levies and are entitled to good access to emergency services.

“In fact, farmers were told just before Christmas that their ACC levies would increase by 43% from April 1.

“Up go the levies, down goes the service. Isn’t that typical of this Labour Government?

“This has Michael Cullen’s fingerprints all over it. Who else sits on billions of dollars without giving anything back to the people who provide it?

“The taxpayers of this country are being diddled again.”

Mr Power is urging the public to sign a petition launched by the National Party’s Otaki candidate, Nathan Guy, calling for the retention of the helicopter in Palmerston North. The petition will be at Otairi Sports Day, Feilding Settlers Day, Ohingaiti Sports Day, Turakina Games, and Taiphape A & P Show.

http://www.acc.co.nz/acc-publications/pdfs/annual-report-2004.pdf

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