David

PARKER

Spokesperson for Finance

28 May 2013 MEDIA STATEMENT
ACC levy equals 350 years of Govt funding for food in schools

The $700 million overcharging in the ACC levy, admitted by Bill English today, is a stealth tax that is enough to fund the Government’s contribution to food in schools for 350 years, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson David Parker.

“The Government is taking $700 million more than is needed from New Zealanders through ACC levies over two years. That’s a stealth tax, pure and simple. They’ve been advised to reduce it but are still overcharging New Zealanders.

“That money is enough to cover the Government’s new role in feeding the kids for 350 years. That’s how badly Kiwis are being ripped off.

“Bill English has said that ACC levies should take only the minimum amount. Yet Kiwis on an average income are being overcharged around $100 a year in levies. At a time when people are struggling to the point that we have to fund food in schools, to take more money than what is necessary is criminal.

“The Government is using ACC as a political jelly bean jar, overcharging New Zealanders to fill to the jar to overflowing in order to dole out lollies in election year for political advantage.

“This isn’t prudent financial management, it’s taking directly from New Zealanders’ back pockets to try to win an election,” says David Parker.

ENDS

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