Widest-Ever Range Of ACC Levy Options Submissions

14 October 2002

Media Release

Most-Ever Submissions On Widest-Ever Range Of ACC Levy Options

More than 12-hundred public submissions have been received by ACC this year during its month-long consultation period that ended last week on the levies proposed for 2003/04.

ACC’s General Manager responsible for Injury Prevention & Client Services, Darrin Goulding, says the most-ever submissions received occurred this year in response to the widest-ever range of options proposed.

Mr Goulding said submissions on the motorists account used to fund the cost of injuries involving motor vehicles on public roads reached 1151, over a thousand more than the number received last year.

“The early general election delayed the start of this year’s levy consultation process so the Corporation has moved into fast-track processing mode,” Mr Goulding said. “ACC analysts are currently working flat out on the submissions to enable our Board to formulate recommendations to the ACC Minister as soon as practicable.”

In the process of setting recommended rates, the ACC Board is expected to take into account not only representations made supporting or opposing various levy options but also financial factors such as the softening of the interest forecast for the scheme’s fund between the June and September quarters.

The Corporation’s fast-track approach also takes into account the needs of other agencies involved with the levy collection process.

The IRD, which collects the levy on wage and salary earners that funds non-work injury accidents, needs the rates by late December in order to meet PAYE table printing and distribution deadlines for next year. The LTSA, which incorporates the ACC motorists’ levy into its annual motor vehicle re-licensing fee, also requires sufficient lead-time to make appropriate changes to its systems.

ACC Minister Hon Ruth Dyson is free to accept, modify or reject the Board’s recommendations. She and her Cabinet colleagues will make the final decisions on the 2003/04 ACC levy rates.

ENDS

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