Katherine Rich MP National Party Small Business Spokeswoman

14 December 2005

Bad news for self-employed this Christmas

"Labour's giving the self-employed another kick in the guts this Christmas," says National Party Small Business spokeswoman Katherine Rich.

"Small businesses, most of which are owned by self-employed Kiwis, have had confirmation today that they'll be facing a significant hike in ACC levies.

"Labour has announced that the average composite self-employed levy will increase from $3.22 to $3.54 for every $100 of earnings. That's a 10 per cent increase in just a year.

"The Minister must see the irony in her explanation for the increase, claiming that it is because the incomes of self-employed have shown no improvement in the past year.

"Small businesses have no choice but to accept the continued levy hikes given the Government's monopoly on ACC cover.

"National says businesses, big and small, deserve the opportunity to choose where they source their insurance just as they do with most other service providers," says Mrs Rich.

ENDS

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