9 November 2009
Media Statement

Kiwis have one final day to make their voices heard on ACC

New Zealanders have one last day to have their say on government plans to hike ACC levies that will see Kiwis paying more but getting less, says Labour Leader Phil Goff.

“The Government, in full scaremonger mode, continues to paint ACC as being in deep trouble to justify its moves to whack Kiwis with a huge hike in levies. Submissions on next year’s levy rates close tomorrow,” Phil Goff said.

“These big increases are not needed. In reality, ACC does not need the sledgehammer approach ACC Minister Nick Smith and Prime Minister John Key are taking.

“National’s approach pits sections of Kiwis against each other, puts unnecessary pressure on families during already tough times and will result in reduced services while Australian insurance companies reap $100s of millions in profits.

“Bikers have made their concerns heard loud and clear – they are in line to be hit by a trebling of levies – the future of ACC-funded counselling for victims of sexual abuse is up in the air, and rehabilitation courses proven to save the taxpayer money are to be chopped.

“Which group will be targeted next?

“Owners of older cars look likely to pay more than new car owners, sports clubs and schools are at risk of new charges because of the risk of playing sport, elderly people who have more falls would be charged for growing old and push bike owners face pay huge levies because of the high cost of their accidents, often not their own fault.

“ACC was never designed as a pure user pays insurance system. It was intended as a no-fault comprehensive system of protection for people who suffered injuries.

“That is what it does well, and that is what it should continue to do. As last week’s Crown Accounts show, ACC has nearly $12 billion in assets and last year collected $1 billion more in levies than it spent on claims.

“This continued growth in assets – which was anticipated as world share markets rebound, the pushing out full funding of ACC historic claims from 2014 to 2019, as Labour proposes, and a decline in work related injuries over each of the past three years means New Zealanders should not be faced with massive hikes in motor vehicle registration and petrol levy increases,” Phil Goff said.

To support the campaign to stop National breaking ACC go to http://accworks.org.nz/

ENDS

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