FEDERATED FARMERS CAN RECOGNISE A PUP

"Federated Farmers remains adamant that the farming community wants to stay with the current competitive accident insurance market which has delivered farmers and the whole economy huge benefits. We do not want to go back to a monopoly" Federated Farmers of New Zealand President Alistair Polson said today.

"Federated Farmers agrees that the government appears to be trying to sell farmers a "pup" with respect to ACC and the self-employed. While Federated Farmers of New Zealand doesn't have the detail, the "pup" appears to be better than the "old dog" we had from ACC in the past but does not compare with the vast improvement delivered by the private sector since 1 July last year.

"Federated Farmers are convinced that ACC cannot compete and that if it holds premiums below the current competitive market levels it will effectively be broke again within a few years.

"If however the Government is to be so determined to defy both logic and the wishes of the community then at least the self-employed will get the same bad deal as employers and employees".

"Under the old ACC the self-employed were even worse off than everyone else.

"The Minister for Accident Insurance has promised to provide the self-employed accident insurance cover based on a nominated level of income (within limits) that may be more or less than their previous income and provide weekly compensation based on 80% of this nominated level if they are unable to work as a result of an injury. Federated Farmers of New Zealand would prefer to see a choice of providers. However, if the Government continues to be hell bent to back it's ideology we know that ACC will have to provide weekly compensation."

ENDS

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