Sue MORONEY
ACC Spokesperson                        
 
31 March 2013                                                    

MEDIA STATEMENT  
 
Budget tricks begin with ACC levy hike
 
New Zealanders will pay millions of dollars more to ACC from tomorrow thanks to the Government’s revenue gathering levy hike says Labour's ACC spokesperson Sue Moroney.
 
"The Government is making April fools of New Zealanders by keeping their ACC levies artificially high.
 
“Both ACC and The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MoBIE) recommended lowering the levies from April 1, but ACC Minister Judith Collins ignored their advice. It is estimated her decision will cost employers and workers $600 million.
 
"That's money that would be better off circulating to boost our ailing economy, rather than sitting unused in ACC's accounts. The Government’s motivation here is obvious, its priority is to create the impression that the Government's books are in better shape than they really are.
 
"Levies are set to cover the costs of current  and on-going injuries. But both ACC and MoBIE agree that these costs would be met with lower levies.
 
“Hard-working employers and workers shouldn’t have to line the pockets of a cash-strapped Government. The levy hike amounts to political interference in ACC -- something this Government is no stranger to,” Sue Moroney said.
 
ENDS

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