Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Kiwis still paying too much for ACC

Iain LEES-GALLOWAY

ACC Spokesperson
21 April 2014
MEDIA STATEMENT

Kiwis still paying too much for ACC

Kiwis are still paying too much for ACC so that the National Government can balance its books, Labour’s ACC spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway says.

“ACC Minister Judith Collins told Cabinet levies were too high but ACC’s proposed cuts would impact the Government’s plans to return to surplus, a key aim of the upcoming budget.

“In a Cabinet paper outlining the options, Judith Collins ordered more modest cuts, noting ‘reductions to ACC levies impact on the Government’s fiscal strategy to balance the books’.

“Labour has repeatedly pointed out that ACC levies are too high and the only reason National is keeping them so high is to help it reach a surplus in the coming financial year. It appears Judith Collins agrees with us.

“Even under ACC’s proposals, the levy demand is excessive. The Work Account funded by the employers’ levy is forecast to be nearly 140 per cent funded, while the Earners’ Account funded by the employees’ levy is forecast to be 130 per cent funded.

“That compares with targets of around 118 per cent for the Work Account and 116 per cent for the Earners’ Account.

“Labour questions why ACC, as a Government-underwritten provider of treatment and compensation, needs such a large excess of funds. ACC is acting like a private insurance company building up a sizable asset that could be very enticing should National ever re-visit its plans to privatise the corporation.

“Under National, ACC has over-charged and under-delivered. It has repeatedly breached privacy and has adopted policies that are unlawful.

“Labour is focussed on restoring faith in ACC’s ability to deliver fair treatment and fair compensation in return for a fair levy,” Iain Lees-Galloway says.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.