NEWS MEDIA RELEASE
3 MAY 2000

MASSIVE SAVINGS FOR FIRE SERVICE WITH RETURN TO A.C.C.

“The Fire Service has achieved a saving of over $1 million in accident premiums with the return to A.C.C. coverage for work related injuries”, Derek Best, Secretary of the Firefighters Union revealed.

“Premium charges for the privatized Accident Compensation cost the Fire Service $3.5 million annually”.

“However, the levy rate set by A.C.C. for next year will cost the Fire Service only $2.4 million – a saving of over $1 million. The potential for a further saving of $244,000 is also available if the Fire Service can achieve a basic level occupational health and safety audit.”

“This level of saving, which cuts Accident Compensation costs by around 30%, gives the lie to the claim of the Insurance Industry and the Opposition that Accident Compensation costs would rise under the return to A.C.C. In fact, the opposite appears to be correct and massive savings are accruing to employers”, said Derek Best.

“There can be no doubt that private insurers who entered the Accident Insurance market were right from the start making massive profits.”

“The extra $1 million now available to the Fire Service will be able to be spent on improving the safety of our communities rather than going to inflate the profits of private insurers”, Derek Best said.

“The real benefits from the return to A.C.C. coverage cannot be more clearly demonstrated than by the example from the Fire Service”, Derek Best concluded.

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For further information
Derek Best can be contacted on (04) 568 4583 or (025) 440985

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