Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council (Ex Motorcycle Safety Levy Establishment Group)

**fossil** · 25th March 2011, 07:44

Motorcycle Safety Body Starts its Journey
17:51 March 24, 2011 0 comments
Press Release – Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council

The inauguration of the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council marks an exciting new development for New Zealand riders, Chairman Gareth Morgan said today.Motorcycle Safety Body Starts its Journey

Wellington, March 24, 2011

The inauguration of the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council marks an exciting new development for New Zealand riders, Chairman Gareth Morgan said today.

The Council (MSAC) has been set up to implement initiatives in rider safety that would not otherwise happen through existing government agencies. It is funded by a $30 portion of the registration fee on every motorcycle, moped or scooter, known as the Motorcycle Safety Levy (MSL).

“What makes this so significant is that it is motorcyclists themselves directing the priorities,” said Morgan. “We as riders know plenty of ways in which the hazards we face can be reduced. And they are often simple, commonsense measures that get overlooked.”

MSAC is not a government agency but it has been set up with the assistance of ACC at the direction of its Minister, Dr. Nick Smith. Dr Morgan is keen to stress the independence of the new body, and its potential for innovative solutions. “We’re not beholden to ACC, the Police, Ministry of Transport or NZTA,” he says. “Instead, our job is to use the funds levied on riders’ registrations to direct things, we riders want to see.”

The inspiration for the MSL/MSAC initiative is a similar – and highly successful – scheme in Victoria. The Minister decided an equivalent was worth trying here. According to Dr Morgan, there’s a powerful case for it. “Far too many New Zealand riders are getting killed and injured on our roads,” he states. “ACC have a vested interest in this succeeding, of course. It will reduce their exposure to claims costs. But the motivation of the council is to save riders’ lives and prevent serious injury.”

Dr Morgan senses that the biggest potential is to harness the instinctive knowledge and experience of motorcyclists. “Bikers accept that riding is dangerous. But what we do not accept are things that make it unnecessarily dangerous. We can spot these things and we know what can make it safer while not interfering with the enjoyment of riding. These are things non-riders do not always understand.”

The new council consists of [eight] members, appointed by the Minister. All are motorcyclists and all have experience of driving public policy. In addition to Gareth Morgan as Chairman, Paul Searancke is Deputy Chairman, with Bill Grice, Brent Hutchison, David Crawford, Jess Corbett, Peter McIntosh and Yvonne Forrest as council members.

Having got under way, the MSAC is focused on getting action started. The council members will agree on a set of initial priorities and implement them. “The sooner we start getting things done, the sooner we start saving lives,” says Dr Morgan. “It’s as simple as that. Once we have the first initiatives going, we want to hear from other riders with sound ideas and plans.”

The new council will be setting up a website that will keep New Zealand motorcyclists informed of what is happening and ways to contribute to future plans. “This is for motorcyclists, funded by motorcyclists and directed by motorcyclists,” says Dr Morgan. “It’s an incredible opportunity and we intend to make the most of it.”

ENDS

Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz
Original url

**Str8 Jacket** · 25th March 2011, 08:27

They spelt MCSAC wrong....

**Smifffy** · 25th March 2011, 10:29

Interesting bit about not being beholden to ACC.

From the terms of reference:

2nd bullet point under Purpose:

Identify initiatives for MSL funding and make recommendations to ACC

Membership:

Members are appointed by the minister for ACC in consultation with its Roading partners.

2nd bullet point under Role:

Propose the funding of projects consistent with ACC's legislation (i.e be cost effective for the ACC Motor Vehicle Scheme and demonstrate a net cost reduction in motorcycle levies over time).

Constraints:

The council acknowledges that for ACC to agree and be able to implement its advice, all recommended initiatives to be funded from the MSL must be likely to result in a cost-effective reduction in actual or projected motorcycle levy rates (as per section 263(3) of the Accident Compensation Act 2001).

Reporting from the council to ACC

The Councils (sic) role is to make specific and detailed recommendations to ACC on which motorcycle safety initiatives should be funded from MSL funds. These recommendations should be made to ACC at least on an annual basis that coincides with the ACC annual budgeting cycle.
Report regularly should be provided (sic) on the Councils (sic) activities to ACC through the Chair. Agendas and Minutes of each meeting will be made available to ACC. Neither ACC nor the MSL Council will make any oral or written statement or comment to the media, which criticises the other party or which could adversely affect public opinion of either ACC or MSL Council or which brings the other party into disrepute.

Reporting from ACC to the Council

ACC will consider the Councils recommendations for motorcycle safety initiatives proposed to be funded from the MSL fund and then implement the approved initiatives.

It is ACC's role to implement and manage contracts for the implementation of MSL-funded initiatives, or delegate implementation to its roading partners as may be appropriate. ACC will report to the Council on performance of each initiative to support the Council's (yay for apostrophes) role in the overall monitoring of the MSL Programme. ACC will provide regular financial reporting regarding the transactions and any balance of the MSL fund.

Beholden (bɪˈhəʊld ə n)

— adj
indebted; obliged; under a moral obligation

I see nothing in the terms of reference to indicate anything other than that the Council is obligated to ACC.

Keep stressing that independence Gareth.

**oldrider** · 25th March 2011, 10:36

Brings to mind the adage: He who pays the piper calls the tune!

**oneofsix** · 25th March 2011, 10:39

Appointed by the minister for ACC, not ACC itself.
Reports to ACC
neither of these oblige them to ACC. A bit like a royal commission, as Justice Milne demonstrated, they can be appointed to the government, have terms of reference set by the government and report to the government but doesn't mean they are obliged to say what the government want

**Smifffy** · 25th March 2011, 10:39

Despite the issues I have stated above, thank you to whoever it was on the council that managed to get this press release made.

Communication is important.

As an aside, does anyone know when the deadline is for submissions to ACC for inclusion in next year's budget?

**Smifffy** · 25th March 2011, 10:42

Originally Posted by oneofsix

Appointed by the minister for ACC, not ACC itself.
Reports to ACC
neither of these oblige them to ACC. A bit like a royal commission, as Justice Milne demonstrated, they can be appointed to the government, have terms of reference set by the government and report to the government but doesn't mean they are obliged to say what the government want

Correct, those just widen the context, but check out the constraints, and the role contained within the reporting to ACC section.

If ACC ain't convinced then it ain't gonna happen.

**oneofsix** · 25th March 2011, 10:49

Originally Posted by Smifffy

Correct, those just widen the context, but check out the constraints, and the role contained within the reporting to ACC section.

If ACC ain't convinced then it ain't gonna happen.

True and I agree its just blame shifting but I don't think we should shoot the advisary group because the Government or ACC don't follow their suggestions. I am willing to give them time and rope. Communication is going to be important so us motorcyclist can judge if the lack of progress (should that happen) is down to the MSAC or the channels they have to work through.
Somehow I don't believe Stoney will be able to keep his trap shut if he see good work by the MSAC going to waste

**Smifffy** · 25th March 2011, 10:55

Originally Posted by oneofsix

True and I agree its just blame shifting but I don't think we should shoot the advisary group because the Government or ACC don't follow their suggestions. I am willing to give them time and rope. Communication is going to be important so us motorcyclist can judge if the lack of progress (should that happen) is down to the MSAC or the channels they have to work through.
Somehow I don't believe Stoney will be able to keep his trap shut if he see good work by the MSAC going to waste

Exactly right, just don't stress independence from ACC, when clearly ACC and its minister are in control.

**riffer** · 25th March 2011, 11:59

Smiffy, I gotta take you to task for calling the requirements for MSAC recommendations to lead to a reduction in costs for ACC.

Surely that's the whole point, given that we're talking safety recommendations?

Otherwise, why have an MSAC if their recommendations didn't result in less money for ACC to fork out for accidents?

And I'm pretty sure you can work out why they came out with a press release. Let's just say that Stoney hasn't been the only MSAC member too be feeling the love lately.

Good to finally see something. Although I must admit, speaking with my BRONZ Media Liaison hat on, I'm a little miffed that my communications to MSAC have gone completely unacknowledged. Surely a quick press release to scoop.co.nz isn't the only way to talk to bikers? I get the feeling that some people on MSAC don't want to directly engage with the primary stakeholders. Throwing out a press release could be argued as satisfying the terms of reference but in my book it just doesn't cut it.

I expect a lot more engagement once the website is up and running - it had better include a forum on it - although I do remember the farce that was the safer journeys one - you think mods on KB are tough.

**Smifffy** · 25th March 2011, 12:19

I'm sorry, but I don't understand your first sentence. What am I supposed to be taken to task for?

Originally Posted by riffer

Smiffy, I gotta take you to task for calling the requirements for MSAC recommendations to lead to a reduction in costs for ACC.

Surely that's the whole point, given that we're talking safety recommendations?

Otherwise, why have an MSAC if their recommendations didn't result in less money for ACC to fork out for accidents?

And I'm pretty sure you can work out why they came out with a press release. Let's just say that Stoney hasn't been the only MSAC member too be feeling the love lately.

Good to finally see something. Although I must admit, speaking with my BRONZ Media Liaison hat on, I'm a little miffed that my communications to MSAC have gone completely unacknowledged. Surely a quick press release to scoop.co.nz isn't the only way to talk to bikers? I get the feeling that some people on MSAC don't want to directly engage with the primary stakeholders. Throwing out a press release could be argued as satisfying the terms of reference but in my book it just doesn't cut it.

I expect a lot more engagement once the website is up and running - it had better include a forum on it - although I do remember the farce that was the safer journeys one - you think mods on KB are tough.

**riffer** · 25th March 2011, 13:01

Originally Posted by Smifffy

I'm sorry, but I don't understand your first sentence. What am I supposed to be taken to task for?

Calling a requirement to save money for ACC on crashes and recuperation a constraint to the MSAC.

**MSTRS:Me** · 25th March 2011, 14:54

The press release is something. Should we be grateful for it? Time will tell...

Anna Long (ACC) sent it direct to me in response to an email complaint I sent to her on the subject of the orchestrated silence

Let's hope she/they take on board such complaints, because, as I said to her - "No good will ever come from any group purporting to be 'representatives' who conduct themselves in secrecy and refuse to engage with those they represent, eh?"