Monopoly ACC continues to raise rates

The Government has added insult to injury for farmers by adding even more to ACC's proposed increase to their levies, said Charlie Pedersen, Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc) National Vice President.

ACC have proposed a 5-8% increase for employees and 31-35% increase for the self-employed. The Government has determined that these rates be increased even further.

"ACC rates on farm employees are now as much as 60% higher than they were under the private sector," said Mr Pedersen. "For the Self-employed ACC rates have nearly doubled within two years.

"Last year ACC incorrectly blamed the levy increases on farmer's injury rates.

"While Federated Farmers is working closely with ACC on reducing injuries in the farming sector we are still waiting for ACC to provide us with evidence that justifies these huge increase in workplace premiums.

"ACC's figures provided to Federated Farmers clearly show that injury rates have been falling. We are therefore at a loss to understand why our levies have increased and are now well above those we were paying to the private sector in 1999.

"The Federation recognises that injury rates are still high but will continue to work closely with ACC. How much longer will it take for the Government to be convinced that ACC is not delivering," said Mr Pedersen.

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