MEDIA RELEASE
18 December 2002

ACC levies 100% cheaper than Oz

“The new ACC levies announced today are a timely reminder that all New Zealanders should be thankful that we kicked out the private insurance companies,” Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.

“With motorists and employers in Australia paying up to 100% more than in New Zealand, and many employers overseas facing private insurance premium increases of up to 500% post September 11, the Government’s decision to re-establish ACC despite strong employer opposition has been vindicated,” he said.

Ross Wilson said that a publicly owned scheme also provided a stability and control which countries like Australia did not have.

“Australians are witnessing the largest corporate failure in their history with the demise of HIH Insurance which came over here in 1999 promising to do better than ACC,” he said.

“it is important that we learn from that experience and ignore the rhetoric from businesses who scapegoat ACC when they move to Australia for other reasons,” Ross Wilson said.

ENDS

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