By far the biggest change proposed is a steep increase in the ACC levy component of registration for motorcycles, which is now $252.69.
The levy on riders of mid-sized bikes (with engine capacities of between 126cc and 599cc would more than double to $511.43, and for riders of big machines (600cc and over) almost treble to $745.77.
The tiny mopeds which have proliferated since petrol price rises of the past few years go from around $60 to more than $250 - a more-than-fourfold increase. Motorcycles of less than $125cc get off lightly, with an increase of only a few dollars.
These figures assume that the target date for so-called full funding, by which ACC takes in enough each year to cover the ongoing future costs of claims received in that year, will not be postponed from 2014 to 2019.
If it is postponed, the increases will be mitigated and, in the case of small motorcycles, the levy will actually fall. But plainly the impact on ACC's finances of injuries to motorcyclists is insupportable without change.
The riders themselves point to official figures showing that more than half of accidents in which they are involved are the fault of car drivers.
In a no-fault system where entitlements to treatment are based on need, not blame, that cannot be regarded as a
complete argument: the fiscal risk of motorcycling rises in proportion to the number of motorcycles, and it is idle to suggest that someone other than motorcyclists should bear the cost.
But it does point to the larger problem which needs to be addressed: in the 35 years since ACC was established, so many bits have been carved off and clipped on that it bears little resemblance to the original design.
Anomalies abound: people who work in dangerous jobs pay more in earner levies than people who work in offices, but rugby league forwards incur no more expense by way of premium payment than those whose leisure preference is macrame.
Originally Posted by skidmark
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) as it sounds like a no go area.
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