The Ulysses Club categorically denies that it has entered into any agreement with ACC or Minister Smith over ACC levies and road safety programmes as apparently suggested by Dr Smith recently. We are absolutely against the outrageous levy rises still being put forward by ACC and are committed to working with other clubs and organisations to fight their implementation.
As Ulysses National President I am disappointed that many bikers have appeared to take Dr Smith’s comments at face value. Ulysses has been at the forefront of the ACC protests. I have been very vocal in my condemnation of the proposed changes to ACC – not only the motorcycling issues but the other changes that impact on us all as New Zealanders: car levy up 36%, diesel goods vehicles levy up 94%, increases in petrol, employee, employer and self employed levies plus cuts in services.
The first mass rally in Nelson was widely supported by the local Ulysses branches and other clubs. I was invited to take part and did so in my role as National President. Ulysses organised the mass rallies held across the country on the following two weekends – thousands of bikers demonstrated in Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch, Timaru, Tauranga and other towns. Then the Bikoi – once the message of maximum safety and minimum disruption was implemented, the Ulysses Club took an active part in supporting the ride as did many of our members. I was out of the country at the time of the Bikoi and was unable to attend.
The work that Ulysses has done and still does with the Injury Prevention arm of ACC will continue and is separate from the levy issue. This work has input from other motorcycle clubs and interest groups and continues to benefit all motorcyclists.
It is clear that the fight against the levy increases is not over – that was very evident in ACC’s complete disregard for the hundreds of submissions that had been made. The revised proposed levies are completely unacceptable as they are only marginally less than the originals. We need to stand together not only as motorcyclists but as citizens of this country. The government has a clear agenda to attack the very fabric of ACC – an institution that is world renown no fault compensation scheme. We need to push for a full scale review if ACC with a view to returning it to its original purpose. ACC management and the government have done a great job of hiding the massive changes planned for ACC behind the furore around the motorcycle levies. We need to engage public support for the wider purpose while ensuring that our interests are protected.
Peter McIntosh,
National President,
Ulysses Club of New Zealand Inc
Edit from Peter Mac
"I have been in contact with Dr Smith today both by email and by phone regarding his statements. I am satisfied that he was misquoted either intentionally or by accident. He did not state nor suggest at any time that a deal had been struck with Ulysses.
As far as I am concerned the matter is resolved.
Peter McIntosh,
National President,
Ulysses Club of NZ Inc"
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Originally Posted by Gubb
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