Employers to postpone A.C.C. levies

Press, 30 May 1987, Page 2

Employers to postpone A.C.C. levies

About 400 Christchurcii employers and selfemployed people yesterday voted to postpone any increased payment of the Accident Compensation Corporation levy. The meeting moved not to pay the increased levy until the completion of the inquiry into the A.C.C., and the implementation of “necessary radical changes” to the scheme, including the user-pays concept. It also resolved that the Law Commission inquiry was inadequate to bring to light the main abuses of the A.C.C. scheme and asked that the Government appoint a Royal Commission to examine the abuses and the equity of the act as it is at present administered. The meeting, at the Christchurch Town Hall, organised by the Committee for A.C.C. Reform, was held at lunch-time, and was addressed by several guest speakers. Mr Brian Shackel chaired the meeting, but told the audience that he shared their concerns and supported an organised attempt to see that major changes were made to the A.C.C. He said that the changes must ensure that the implementation of the act was fair and equitable, that it was based on a user-pays principle, that abuse of the system was removed, and that if the Government wanted to use the act as a vehicle for social welfare payments it should pay the full cost. In his address, Mr Peter Blomfield, executive director of the Meat Industry Association, said the industry did not seek to destroy the A.C.C. but wanted radical reform. “The A.C.C. has acted in the worst traditions of bureaucracy,” he said. “I find it amazing that the unions accept the levy without question.” The secretary of the Canterbury Clerical Workers’ Union, Mr Leon Morel, a guest speaker, said employers should not break the law in their opposition to the increased levy. “When you look at the rise in accidents you should also look at those employers who have

failed you and who have been negligent in helping prevent accidents,” he said. Mr Morel’s comments drew an angry response from the audience, who shouted remarks such as, “It’s a joke!,” “Rubbish,” and “We didn’t come here to listen to you.” A small group of supporters at the back of the hall applauded Mr Morel as he stepped down. Another guest speaker, the Opposition spokesman on finance, Mr Michael Cox, said that his colleagues throughout New Zealand had been “flooded” with letters from people who were in danger of going out of business because they could not pay the increased levy. “Quite obviously major changes in the A.C.C. are needed, but just increasing the levy is not the answer,” Mr Cox said. Mr Cox also advised the employers not to break the law. “Pay up, but don’t shut up,” he said. Invitations to attend the meeting had been sent to the Minister in charge of the Accident Compensation Corporation, Mr Rodger, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Palmer, but neither was able to accept.