The Power of protest

[Ned]

Long time no postee velly much but I felt the need to share this.

We motorcyclists in NZ have been threatened with a massive hike in ACC levies... that's accident compensation which is paid on income and vehicle registration. I know it's all a bit socialist for you seppos but it works, when I broke my leg last year it cost me nothing for surgery, physio, etc and 80% of my income was paid. It's based on a no blame, everyone contributes equally scheme. However after fudging a few stats the current right-wing anti-motorcycle government decided it was time to cane the bikers and make them pay for "their mistakes" We were unfairly blamed for a huge cost in compensation and therefore told according to the size of your engine you'd pay more. The cost of keeping my FJ on the road inlcuding road licence and 2 fwarrant of fitness checks a year was about to rise from $411 annully to over $1000 without any insurance on the bike. Well I only managed to get on one of the local protest rallies but it was a good turn out with around 400 bikes. This little group of over 5000 turned up in Wellington yesterday at parliament and let them know what's what with the result that the whimpy little minister for ACC has decided he maight be backing down. My old biking mate Phil Goff is now the leader of the Labour Party, the government's opposition and fully in support of the bikers as half his party ride.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10606594
http://www.guide2.co.nz/politics/news/thousands-protest-against-plans-to-raise-acc-levies/11/12590

Here's hoping there isn't another about face duck for cover otherwise I may be forced to sell my FJ and buy a 49cc Honda Scooter because it's about all I will be able to afford to keep on the road.

Ned

[FJ Flyer]

Welcome back, Ned.  

Kind of like the insurance companies trying to deny coverage to motorcyclists and other "risky" hobbies.  Ridiculous. That's a Pandora's box that would be really scary.

I think its great that you have a politician that can be quoted saying "its crap" regarding legislation.

[Arnie]

Welcome back Ned,

Really hope you're able to reverse this "proposed" hike.
Its so easy for the pollies to pick on small groups that have no real political power by raising their charges unfairly. 
I've been wondering if a similiar rate increase is looming here in Vic, Australia as the current crop of Transport Accident TV ads are saying that bikers are 38 times more likely to be injured or die in a road smash.  Maybe they're just trying to save us from ourselves since we obviously don't know any better or we wouldn't ever think of getting on one of these 'murderSycles' if we had any brains.  As I said, best of luck - keep us informed please.

Cheers,
Arnie

[Ned]

Arnie - they have used the argument about being a high risk group here but we bikers actually represent a smaller group in the accident stats than cyclists and pedestrians and they don't have to pay ACC levies. So far the government looks like backing down on the actual amount but not the whole concept.

Ned