Submission responses

**dpex** · 22nd October 2009, 07:57

There's a couple of interesting takes in this reply.

Dear David

I have been asked to respond to your email below on behalf of all nine Green Party MPs Metiria Turei, Russel Norman, Jeanette Fitzsimons, Sue Bradford, Sue Kedgley, Keith Locke, Kevin Hague, Catherine Delahunty and Kennedy Graham.

The Green Party opposes the proposed levy increase for motorcycles. We consider this levy increase to be contrary to the original principles set out by Sir Owen Woodhouse under which ACC was established. One of those principles was that of "community responsibility". Sir Owen himself, at the age of 93, has spoken out against the approach the Government is taking to ACC, stating that proposals to double and treble levies on heavy motorbikes and mopeds, and to push accident victims back to work on much lower incomes than they earned before their accidents, breach the principles of the scheme he authored as head of the 1967 Royal Commission that recommended the ACC scheme.

The community responsibility principle recognises that the various activities that we undertake in society are all inter-related, and that harm and benefit flows on to others, rather than rests solely with the people undertaking those activities.

In the particular example of motorcycle use, the community responsibility principle recognises that just because a disproportionately high number of motor vehicle injuries involve motorcyclists, a significant proposrtion of those injuries are actually caused by someone other than the motorcyclist. It also recognises that increased use of motorcycles where practicable has environmental benefits if single driver car usage is consequently reduced, since the greenhouse gas emissions generated by a motorcycles is significantly less than from cars and the fuel used per kilometre of travel is significantly less for a motorcycle than a car. From that perspective, the Green Party would want to encourage motorcycle use as opposed to car use - however, the Government's proposed levy increase for motorcycles does the opposite.

It is Green Party policy to restore the social contract envisioned in Sir Owen Woodhouse's report from which the original ACC scheme was derived, including the community responsibility principle, and we there oppose pinch-paring measures such as the Government's proposals that attempt to assess the injury risk of every specific activity undertaken in society and set levies based solely on that risk.

Thank you for the figures you have provided. They affirm the view the Green Party MPs already have that much of the so-called "crisis" in ACC is manufactured by the Government to suit its political agenda.

Kind regards
Ivan Sowry
Issues Assistant to Green Party MPs

**sinfull** · 22nd October 2009, 08:02

Nice letter ! However the Nats have allready bought the Maori's vote with the TV coverage scam and Act are just Keys pawns anyway, with hide peeking out from under Keys skirt long enough to propose privatisation (who didn't see that coming ?)

**Okey Dokey** · 22nd October 2009, 08:11

I got a letter back from my local Nat MP, Jacqui Dean. Very polite, restated the Nat case, and said they wanted "open & honest conversation with the public" about how to fund the shortfall. Thanked me for expressing my concern. About what I expected, really.

**pzkpfw** · 22nd October 2009, 08:24

Geez.

I've always hated the Greens, for being as much if not more about socialism as they are for "the environment".

And now I see an example where it's in my favour.

Jebus help me if I have to start voting Green...

**Coldrider** · 22nd October 2009, 08:53

Nick Smith does not need any support to revise the levies up, that is not a change to the Act, the changes to the Act that need support votes in Parliament are other issues.
Needs to be kept in perspective, however Mr Smith does want submissions to justify himself.

**riffer** · 22nd October 2009, 08:53

Dear Simon

I have been asked to respond to your email below on behalf of all nine Green Party MPs Metiria Turei, Russel Norman, Jeanette Fitzsimons, Sue Bradford, Sue Kedgley, Keith Locke, Kevin Hague, Catherine Delahunty and Kennedy Graham.

The Green Party opposes the proposed levy increase for motorcycles. We consider this levy increase to be contrary to the original principles set out by Sir Owen Woodhouse under which ACC was established. One of those principles was that of "community responsibility". Sir Owen himself, at the age of 93, has spoken out against the approach the Government is taking to ACC, stating that proposals to double and treble levies on heavy motorbikes and mopeds, and to push accident victims back to work on much lower incomes than they earned before their accidents, breach the principles of the scheme he authored as head of the 1967 Royal Commission that recommended the ACC scheme.

The community responsibility principle recognises that the various activities that we undertake in society are all inter-related, and that harm and benefit flows on to others, rather than rests solely with the people undertaking those activities.

In the particular example of motorcycle use, the community responsibility principle recognises that even though a disproportionately high number of motor vehicle injuries involve motorcyclists, a significant proportion of those injuries are actually caused by someone other than the motorcyclist. It also recognises that increased use of motorcycles where practicable has environmental benefits if single driver car usage is consequently reduced, since the greenhouse gas emissions generated by a motorcycles is significantly less than from cars and the fuel used per kilometre of travel is significantly less for a motorcycle than a car. From that perspective, the Green Party would want to encourage motorcycle use as opposed to car use - however, the Government's proposed levy increase for motorcycles does the opposite.

It is Green Party policy to restore the social contract envisioned in Sir Owen Woodhouse's report from which the original ACC scheme was derived, including the community responsibility principle, and we therefore oppose pinch-paring measures such as the Government's proposals that attempt to assess the injury risk of every specific activity undertaken in society and set levies based solely on that risk.

Kind regards
Ivan Sowry
Issues Assistant to Green Party MPs

**dpex** · 22nd October 2009, 08:54

Originally Posted by pzkpfw

Geez.

I've always hated the Greens, for being as much if not more about socialism as they are for "the environment".

And now I see an example where it's in my favour.

Jebus help me if I have to start voting Green...

I think the key to the right direction is found in this comment in the Green's reply.

"The community responsibility principle recognises that the various activities that we undertake in society are all inter-related, and that harm and benefit flows on to others, rather than rests solely with the people undertaking those activities."

Match that comment with the fact that only 'registered' road users pay 'any' form of extra tax for the pleasure. By that very fact the 'community' principle, wherein the entire community benefits from the roading network, not just registered vehicle operators, is abrogated by fuel tax, diesel road-user charges, registration charges, and ACC levies.

In other words, although the entire community benefits from the roading network, only 'some' pay for the benefit. It follows that all 'paying' road users are, in fact, subsidising the rest of the community.

Interesting argument.

I shall put that to a few pollies and await a reply. :--))

**StoneY** · 22nd October 2009, 08:56

Riffer mate thats FARKIN AWESOME man

Can you see if one of these 'on our side' MPs can come to the Parrot tonight?

Bloody well done mate, a REAL response that reads as its official PARTY LINE

Bling in piles coming your way bro well bloody done

**riffer** · 22nd October 2009, 09:01

Got exactly the same reply.

Still a good reply though.

**paddy** · 22nd October 2009, 09:04

Originally Posted by pzkpfw

Geez.

I've always hated the Greens, for being as much if not more about socialism as they are for "the environment".

And now I see an example where it's in my favour.

Jebus help me if I have to start voting Green...

I was thinking exactly the same thing. Say, when is Sue Bradford actually leaving - I don't think I have a problem with the Greens so much as with her. (My personal opinion - your mileage may vary.)

**sunhuntin** · 22nd October 2009, 09:11

i got a good one from the greens as well! havent check the other replies yet.

Dear Charlotte

I have been asked to respond to your email below on behalf of all nine Green Party MPs Metiria Turei, Russel Norman, Jeanette Fitzsimons, Sue Bradford, Sue Kedgley, Keith Locke, Kevin Hague, Catherine Delahunty and Kennedy Graham.

The Green Party opposes the proposed levy increase for motorcycles. We consider this levy increase to be contrary to the original principles set out by Sir Owen Woodhouse under which ACC was established. One of those principles was that of "community responsibility". Sir Owen himself, at the age of 93, has spoken out against the approach the Government is taking to ACC, stating that proposals to double and treble levies on heavy motorbikes and mopeds, and to push accident victims back to work on much lower incomes than they earned before their accidents, breach the principles of the scheme he authored as head of the 1967 Royal Commission that recommended the ACC scheme.

The community responsibility principle recognises that the various activities that we undertake in society are all inter-related, and that harm and benefit flows on to others, rather than rests solely with the people undertaking those activities.

In the particular example of motorcycle use, the community responsibility principle recognises that even though a disproportionately high number of motor vehicle injuries involve motorcyclists, a significant proportion of those injuries are actually caused by someone other than the motorcyclist. It also recognises that increased use of motorcycles where practicable has environmental benefits if single driver car usage is consequently reduced, since the greenhouse gas emissions generated by a motorcycles is significantly less than from cars and the fuel used per kilometre of travel is significantly less for a motorcycle than a car. From that perspective, the Green Party would want to encourage motorcycle use as opposed to car use - however, the Government's proposed levy increase for motorcycles does the opposite.

It is Green Party policy to restore the social contract envisioned in Sir Owen Woodhouse's report from which the original ACC scheme was derived, including the community responsibility principle, and we there oppose pinch-paring measures such as the Government's proposals that attempt to assess the injury risk of every specific activity undertaken in society and set levies based solely on that risk.

Thank you for the figures you have provided. They affirm the view the Green Party MPs already have that much of the so-called "crisis" in ACC is manufactured by the Government to suit its political agenda.

By the way, cool email address - not difficult to guess what you ride!

Kind regards

Ivan Sowry

Issues Assistant to Green Party MPs

**Reckless** · 22nd October 2009, 09:13

Now there's a thought!! Every biker makes a protest vote for the Greens next election!
I'm a Nat voter but that would sure screw the Nats up! Prob the country to but its a damn good threat!!
Tell you what if both my regos are due around election I might just get pissed off enough to do it!!! (not that I intend paying both)

VOTE GREEN!!

**Hopeful Bastard** · 22nd October 2009, 09:14

Anyone notice a common trend in these emails? NO?

I will point it out...

THEY ARE ALL THE SAME!!

What the fuck. Oh wow.. Everyone got a response from the greenies.. But its all the same.. Whats up with that!?

**sunhuntin** · 22nd October 2009, 09:18

i got 5 replies so far in response to emailing the entire list that was posted in another thread. by far the best has to be the greens.... it is actually a bit personalised, which is a nice touch. heres hoping i get some more over the nest few days.

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Dear Charlotte,

Thank for letting me know your views. I cannot see if you have also sent this through to the email "consultation@acc.co.nz" - if you have then please disregard this, but if not, that is the formal email if you wish to make a submission on the ACC consultation process.

Best wishes,

Nikki Kaye
MP for Auckland Central
Address for mail: Parliament Buildings, Wellington
Ph: 04 817 8227
www.nikkikaye.co.nz

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Dear Charlotte,

On behalf of Hon Murray McCully, thank you for your email regarding the proposed increases to ACC levies.

I have passed your email on to Hon McCully for his information.

Kind regards,

Kate

Kate Wadsworth | Electorate Agent
Office of the Hon Murray McCully | MP for East Coast Bays | PO Box 35 657 | Browns Bay | Tel: + 64 9 478 0207 | Fax: + 64 9 479 8089 | Mob: 021 242 8793 | www.mccully.co.nz

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Dear Charlotte,

On behalf of Louise Upston MP for Taupo I would like to thank you for your email. I have passed your comments on to Louise.

Gabrielle Stewart
Executive Assistant to Louise Upston MP for Taupo

Parliament Buildings
Wellington
ddi +64 4 817 8231
fax + 64 4 817 6441
email gabrielle.stewart@parliament.govt.nz
web www.louiseupston.co.nz
web www.national.org.nz

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Tena koe Charlotte

I am writing on behalf of Hon Mita Ririnui MP to acknowledge receipt of your email of 21 October 2009 concerning ACC levies.

Your email will be placed before Mita Ririnui for his information. Thank you for writing.

Naku noa, na

Angela Bray
Executive Assistant

Office of Hon Mita Ririnui
Member of Parliament
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
T: 04 817 9519
M: 021 481 349
F: 04 439 6483
W: www.parliament.nz
Freepost: Private Bag 18 888, Wellington, 6160

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Dear Charlotte

I have been asked to respond to your email below on behalf of all nine Green Party MPs Metiria Turei, Russel Norman, Jeanette Fitzsimons, Sue Bradford, Sue Kedgley, Keith Locke, Kevin Hague, Catherine Delahunty and Kennedy Graham.

The Green Party opposes the proposed levy increase for motorcycles. We consider this levy increase to be contrary to the original principles set out by Sir Owen Woodhouse under which ACC was established. One of those principles was that of "community responsibility". Sir Owen himself, at the age of 93, has spoken out against the approach the Government is taking to ACC, stating that proposals to double and treble levies on heavy motorbikes and mopeds, and to push accident victims back to work on much lower incomes than they earned before their accidents, breach the principles of the scheme he authored as head of the 1967 Royal Commission that recommended the ACC scheme.

The community responsibility principle recognises that the various activities that we undertake in society are all inter-related, and that harm and benefit flows on to others, rather than rests solely with the people undertaking those activities.

In the particular example of motorcycle use, the community responsibility principle recognises that even though a disproportionately high number of motor vehicle injuries involve motorcyclists, a significant proportion of those injuries are actually caused by someone other than the motorcyclist. It also recognises that increased use of motorcycles where practicable has environmental benefits if single driver car usage is consequently reduced, since the greenhouse gas emissions generated by a motorcycles is significantly less than from cars and the fuel used per kilometre of travel is significantly less for a motorcycle than a car. From that perspective, the Green Party would want to encourage motorcycle use as opposed to car use - however, the Government's proposed levy increase for motorcycles does the opposite.

It is Green Party policy to restore the social contract envisioned in Sir Owen Woodhouse's report from which the original ACC scheme was derived, including the community responsibility principle, and we there oppose pinch-paring measures such as the Government's proposals that attempt to assess the injury risk of every specific activity undertaken in society and set levies based solely on that risk.

Thank you for the figures you have provided. They affirm the view the Green Party MPs already have that much of the so-called "crisis" in ACC is manufactured by the Government to suit its political agenda.

By the way, cool email address - not difficult to guess what you ride!

Kind regards

Ivan Sowry

Issues Assistant to Green Party MPs

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**Mully** · 22nd October 2009, 09:25

Nice response.

I'm impressed. They have taken their core thing (the environment) and bundled it around the issue - commenting (well) on the whole issue.

Well done Greens.