ACC being opened up to competition (not bike related)

[Str8 Jacket]

I was reading this story in stuff:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/5087...C-says-insurer

I work in procurement so kind of understand how the market operates. This story got me thinking, maybe more insurers will bid then he gives credit? I fear that they will offer employers good rates compared to ACC but cut the services to match. Why should the employer care about what their staff are entitled too, they just find it a financial burden either way. Thoughts?

Doh - this thread title should have read; "ACC being opened up to competition", not privitisation. It may be a Freudian slip but any chance a mod could change it please??

[Usarka]

Philip Schmidt - a lawyer who deals with accident insurance - was just on Nat Radio. To paraphrase in my words, he says unless the government introduces better regulation and dispute processes (which they aren't planning to do) then employees will be worse off.

[riffer]

It's not about the employees. They can go get fucked.

This is about less costs for employers. And more opportunities to make money for overseas insurance companies.

Otherwise the employees would be getting an opportunity to elect in a democratic fashion which accident insurer they would go with, rather than who the employer went with.

[spacemonkey]

Seems to be the Nats answer to every problem is "cut government revenue" and give it to foreign corporations.

[huff3r]

Hold on... since when was ACC insurance? I thought it was "no-fault compensation"? And therefore could not really compete with traditional "insurance" companies as they both operate completely differently.

We've been right fucked over.

R.I.P ACC.

[Winston001]

It's not about the employees. They can go get fucked.

This is about less costs for employers. And more opportunities to make money for overseas insurance companies.

Otherwise the employees would be getting an opportunity to elect in a democratic fashion which accident insurer they would go with, rather than who the employer went with.

Not exactly.

• ACC is insurance no matter how you define it
• Each working New Zealander pays an ACC levy as part of our tax - we will still be covered by ACC for off-work accidents. Sports, bikes, cars, falling off ladders etc

• Employers will be able to choose a comercial insurer for work cover or stay with ACC
• If commercial cover is such a moneyspinner, NZ insurers will be in there too not just overseas companies
• The reality is ACC doesn't run at a profit, pay shareholders, or go broke. Damned hard for any commercial business to compete with that.

Neverthless I'm not impressed by this move by the government.

[pete376403]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/5087...C-says-insurer

Private insurers will want the level playing field tilted a lot more in their favour.

[Str8 Jacket]

Private insurers will want the level playing field tilted a lot more in their favour.

That's what scares me!

[Fatt Max]

I've got a T shirt at home with 'Who's Next?' written on it. Quite a few of you guys have the same eh....

Now, did I hear somewhere during the run up to the last election that National were NOT going to open up ACC to competition? I may have this wrong but I thought that cunt John Key actually said it in an interview...?

Might be wrong, just wondered..

Oh and sorry for the 'C' word, having a cunt of a day already.....oops, I did it again...

[avgas]

I've got a T shirt at home with 'Who's Next?' written on it. Quite a few of you guys have the same eh....

Now, did I hear somewhere during the run up to the last election that National were NOT going to open up ACC to competition? I may have this wrong but I thought that cunt John Key actually said it in an interview...?

Might be wrong, just wondered..

Oh and sorry for the 'C' word, having a cunt of a day already.....oops, I did it again...

Sit down and have yourself a nice pie big fella. Try a Jesters for a change.

And yes you were right about what John Key said. But it scares me that you believed him. I stopped believing pollys many years ago. And stopped voting the same time.

Some day I will start voting again. Probably when I see the pollys repair the damage they have done.
Who am I kidding. That will never happen.

[Winston001]

Now, did I hear somewhere during the run up to the last election that National were NOT going to open up ACC to competition? I may have this wrong but I thought that cunt John Key actually said it in an interview...?

I don't recall Key or Smith saying that but you are probably right. Even so they haven't broken any promises.

What National are saying is that they propose to allow commercial insurers to compete for workplace accident cover (which is only part of ACCs business), plus they also propose to sell 49% of the govt power companies - if National is re-elected in November.

So, in the next parliamentary cycle if National can form a government, the new promises will proceed. But no broken promises right now. Political parties can and should change their policies over time.

I think both ideas are stink. But we can't fault them for being upfront and leaving the decision to the voters in November. That shows political integrity.

[SPman]

(which is only part of ACCs business),

But, the most profitable part. Just more of the arsehole's mantra of "privatise profit - socialise losses"!
What else do you expect, though, with the corporatisation of government.....

[Fatt Max]

But we can't fault them for being upfront and leaving the decision to the voters in November. That shows political integrity.

...and it also falls nicely for the fat cat insurance corporate scumbag mates of this bastard government to chip in to the election fund to ensure National win.

Pigs at the trough....

[Fatt Max]

And yes you were right about what John Key said. But it scares me that you believed him. I stopped believing pollys many years ago. And stopped voting the same time.

I’m with you dude, I don’t believe a word these bastards say, especially that Key cunt and the rest of the National wankers. I was sure I heard him say that they would leave it alone and it seems I am correct. Still, him and his supporters will spin it, just as long as they get their jollys eh

I’ll have that pie now dude……….

[Bald Eagle]

.....political integrity.

Those two words don't go together, either with this gubberment or any other this country has had in recent times.

Great gamesmanship however, as the majority of voters can't see the implications of '' only after the election" and then it will be to late.