Is ACC breaching a human rights?

[kevie]

I emailed the Human Rights Commission and detailed things as I saw it and requested they investigate and see if ACC are in breach by picking on a 'minority people group' (bikers) who in most cases are actually the victims.

They replied
(quote)
Dear Kevin,
Thank you for your email, which was received by the Human Rights Commission’s Infoline Team.
Your matter will be considered, and someone will contact you again within 15 working days to let you know how we might assist you, or if there is any other involvement the Commission might offer.
If you have any further queries please contact our freecall Infoline on 0800 496 877 (TTY: 0800 150 111). We use Language Line services to provide free interpreting in 40 different languages.

Yours sincerely,
Rhiannon Thomson Infoline Team Leader
(unquote)


I wonder what would happen if the Human Rights Commission got thousands of complaints about ACC...... would they sit up ... take notice and do a thorough investigation?


One way to find out I guess :grouphug:

[Winston001]

Good on you. :D

Can't see it running far because the levy is on motorcycles, not people.

[kevie]

Good on you. :D

Can't see it running far because the levy is on motorcycles, not people.

one more organization that could be encouraged to ask ACC and National questions tho ..... and I don't see it as my 750 being picked on .... I see ME being picked on.
and the issues arent just confined to our bike levies remember ... they propose to increase our personal tax, the employers levies, cars, trucks and where do they plan to stop?

[derfel]

There in lies the problem. Everyone is trying to point the finger, National at Labour, Motorcyclists at cars etc etc. In the end it shouldn't be about stats or he said, she said. It should be about it being unfair that there is ACC levys on "vehicle" registration at all. A lot of motorcyclists also own cars, a lot of people are multiple road going vehicle owners and are thus paying multiple levys.
ACC levys (raised) on fuel I suggest. Fuel prices will go up accordingly but the net will cover from the person having an accident with their lawnmower/ chainsaw, to your weekend warriors on their dirtbikes or rally cars. All things powered by petrol that you can just as easily have as bad an accident with then if you're on the road driving/ riding.
A person can drive an unregistered vehicle for ages by rolling the dice and not getting caught and there are plenty out there, so effectively not paying levys. But they have to put petrol in it at some point.

[Oakie]

I don't think there will be any good outcome doing the Human Rights Act thing is the Act only refers to discrimination on the grounds of:

-gender (including pregnancy and childbirth)
-marital status
-religious belief
-ethical belief
-colour
-race
-ethnic/national origin
-disability
-age (16 and over)1
-political opinion
-employment status
-family status
-sexual orientation

[Mully]

I don't think there will be any good outcome doing the Human Rights Act thing is the Act only refers to discrimination on the grounds of:

- Religion


Hello,

I'm a Biktian - I believe a benevolent Sky-Biker created the universe specifically for those who take up the noble cause of motorcycling and use it's powers for good.

ACC's proposed levies will prevent me from practising my religion/

(is any of that less plausible than Scientology?)

[Oakie]

I thought perhaps 'Race' could be a grounds because a lot of us like to race while we ride...

Also 'sexual preference' might get Honda riders exempt (I can say that now because I've sold my Honda)

[mashman]

Good on you. :D

Can't see it running far because the levy is on motorcycles, not people.

but the bike doesn't pay the levy!

[NighthawkNZ]

-political opinion
-employment status


You would have to work it some how to these

[Pixie]

Hello,

I'm a Biktian - I believe a benevolent Sky-Biker created the universe specifically for those who take up the noble cause of motorcycling and use it's powers for good.

ACC's proposed levies will prevent me from practising my religion/

(is any of that less plausible than Scientology?)

Me too.
(I also worship The Flying Spaghetti Monster)

[modboy]

Good work Kevie, good luck. Def worth the shot.

[mashman]

You would have to work it some how to these

-political opinion
-employment status


So because i can only afford a motorcycle to get me to and from work (x cents per mile (inc insurance etc...) v's public transport costs), if the levy hike goes through, i will not be able to afford to travel to work. Therefore the government are forcing me out of my job, by over pricing the only mode of transport i can afford to get to work?

kinda like that perhaps?

[ManDownUnder]

ACC's proposed levies will prevent me from practising my religion/

(is any of that less plausible than Scientology?)

Thou shalt all follow me (as a Honda rider - I prefer things behind me... )

[NighthawkNZ]

kinda like that perhaps?

by taxing motorcycles off the road (when there is no need and no crisis) they are taking away my freedom of choice,

freedom of choice is everything,

[mashman]

by taxing motorcycles off the road (when there is no need and no crisis) they are taking away my freedom of choice,

freedom of choice is everything,

It may be my legal right and my choice to ride a motorcycle, but if i can't afford it because of levy hikes, it's not affecting my freedom to choose, but moreover my financial situation stopping me from having what i want. I understand what you're saying, i just don't think the human rights commission will buy that as an excuse.

[NighthawkNZ]

It may be my legal right and my choice to ride a motorcycle, but if i can't afford it because of levy hikes, it's not affecting my freedom to choose, but moreover my financial situation stopping me from having what i want. I understand what you're saying, i just don't think the human rights commission will buy that as an excuse.

but to be purposly taxed off when you could afford it before, it is effecting your freedom of choice. They may not buy it but hey...

[mashman]

but to be purposly taxed off when you could afford it before, it is effecting your freedom of choice. They may not buy it but hey...

ahhh, but legally taxed off? if you can't afford to ride your bike, you either get another job, get a bank loan, or become a crim to raise the money required to ride your bike! Nothing illegal about it, you just can't afford it... Someone leveled at me a few weeks ago "Sure... don't buy something you can't afford to own."... PAH!!! and that's from a biker off this site... I'm guessing they won't buy it if bikers have this attitude!

[NighthawkNZ]

ahhh, but legally taxed off? if you can't afford to ride your bike, you either get another job, get a bank loan,!

so you are say that only the rich can ride a bike...? Students aren't allowed to use this cheap form of transport due to a political view of the government only which is their political opinion and mine is against it... then bringing in the second side "employment status" not all jobs out there are high paying and can afford not every one can get these high paying jobs... we all know this...

I maybe legally tax off in the view of the government, but it still will take the freedom of chooce of many


at the end of the day I don't care if the human rights commision get involved or not... but at present I have the freedom of choice to choice to ride a bike if the levies come in I may not...

[mashman]

so you are say that only the rich can ride a bike...? Students aren't allowed to use this cheap form of transport due to a political view of the government only which is their political opinion and mine is against it... then bringing in the second side "employment status" not all jobs out there are high paying and can afford not every one can get these high paying jobs... we all know this...


I'm not saying only the rich can ride a bike, but that's the way it could turn out if these hikes go through... and no commission anywhere will give a rats because i won't have a legal argument to present...

I do agree with you in regards to freedom of choice, but what i'm saying is that you generally need money to make the choice a reality... and that's where some people may well be forced off the roads, even if your levy only rises by as little as 10%... it won't be your choice anymore, it will be a financial reality.

[NighthawkNZ]

I do agree with you in regards to freedom of choice, but what i'm saying is that you generally need money to make the choice a reality... and that's where some people may well be forced off the roads, even if your levy only rises by as little as 10%... it won't be your choice anymore, it will be a financial reality.

So it is okay to tax the poorer off the road...?

the point of it all is there no need to make the levy increase at all... and its a step to privatise, Nationals political view is to privatise ACC which goes against what ACC stands for, being a community fund... if its in a private hands how can it be a community fund?.. private company is only after profit ACC isn't about profit. It does mean many will not be able to afford decent accident cover under standard insurance...

While I agree with you at the end of the day the commission ain't going to care. but hey...it may convert a few more for actual people supporting our cause...

[kevie]

Good on you. :D

Can't see it running far because the levy is on motorcycles, not people.

Recieved a letter from HRC today in response to my email to them a couple weeks back:

Quote: I write in response to your email to the Human Rights Commission asking us to intervene on behalf of motorcyclists in relation to the proposed ACC levies. You say that there is a perception that the intentention to levy motorcyclists is picking on a minority group.

The appropriate way to deal with a law change such as this is to make a submission to the relevant select committee. Unfortunately if you have not already done so the time for making submissions on the proposed Amendment will have closed by the time you receive this.
The Commission has made a submission opposing many of the changes suggested. Altho this did not specifically refer to motorcyclists as a group we did argue for a more equitable system which allowed for universal cover in the event of an accident. The Commission submission will be available on its website http://www.hrc.co.nz shortly.
Yours sincerely
Sylvia Bell
PRINCIPAL LEGAL & POLICY ANALYST

[Winston001]

.......

The Commission has made a submission opposing many of the changes suggested. Altho this did not specifically refer to motorcyclists as a group we did argue for a more equitable system which allowed for universal cover in the event of an accident. The Commission submission will be available on its website http://www.hrc.co.nz shortly.
Yours sincerely
Sylvia Bell
PRINCIPAL LEGAL & POLICY ANALYST

Good on you, well done.