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ACC MP says govt. unlikely to go all the way with levies increase

On Saturday hundreds of you passionate motorcyclists turned out around the country to protest the proposed hike in ACC levies on motorcycle registrations. including some 500 in Manukau City, 400 in Wellington and about 300 in Christchurch with more gatherings in Tauranga, Hamilton and Timaru. There is likely going to be a very large national rally mid-November descending upon to capital so stay tuned for information on when this will happen.

ACC Minister Nick Smith says the Government will listen to bikers, but says they should make submissions to ACC rather than protest.

"It's unlikely the government will be proceeding with the scale of increases that the ACC board is proposing."

Dr Smith says the cuts in ACC entitlements proposed in a bill introduced by the Government this week will it make possible to reduce the increases proposed, not just for motorcyclists but also for car owners, earners and employers.

The public has until 10 November to make submissions on the proposed ACC levy changes.

Labour leader Phil Goff, motorcyclist and proud owner of a Triumph Bonneville called the proposals unjustified and unfair.

"It's full of inconsistencies. Many of the bikers here are enthusiasts, they'll have two or three bikes. They only ever ride them one at a time, but they'll be paying the extra $500 dollars on each and every bike that they've got."

But Dr Nick Smith (ACC minister) says it's Labour's fault that ACC is now contemplating levy increases.

"I just think Labour are being total hypocrites in being part of today's ACC protests.

"The truth is that if there had not been the enormous billion dollar hole that Labour has left in ACC nobody would be facing a levy increase."

Politicians, as always, are quick to blame each other when the government run out of cash.