What the Labour Party are doing?

[jim.cox]

(Which apparently DIDNT happen in Melbourne when they abolished the "give way to the right" back in '93).

Yeah? Maybe?

But just look what happened to those poor Samoans when they changed the side of the road on which they drive :whistle: :)

[James Deuce]

Not to mention all the crashes they'll be anticipating if the give way rules change again. (Which apparently DIDNT happen in Melbourne when they abolished the "give way to the right" back in '93).

Changing the road rules from, "Oo do I have to give way here or does he?" to "Don't pull out in front of traffic" can only be a good thing IMO.

[PrincessBandit]

Changing the road rules from, "Oo do I have to give way here or does he?" to "Don't pull out in front of traffic" can only be a good thing IMO.

Totally agree. However I despair of how many drivers will actually still plow through uncontrolled intersections on auto pilot rather than thinking along the lines which you've just mentioned. Maybe I'm just being pessimistic.

[sAsLEX]

You have missed the post where ACC's creator states that the National govt of 98 created today's situation, my friend?

Oh...... its good to see Labour doing something about it now then...... now that they are out of power rather than over the last near decade.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Hmmmm I wonder why ACC is in the state its in? 9 years of mismanagement, or the short time Nat has been up there?

ACC is not broke, nor is it loosing money... despite Nick Smith’s bureaucratic bullshit all this is coming from changing from a pay as you go to a fully funded

http://www.thestandard.org.nz/first-...ture-a-crisis/

[Ender EnZed]

Can we please try not to make this issue a National/Labour thing?

It is a government thing. National is the Government right now, Labour is the Opposition. If you're opposed to the Government then, like it or not, you have something in common with Labour right now.

[Mully]

It is a government thing. National is the Government right now, Labour is the Opposition. If you're opposed to the Government then, like it or not, you have something in common with Labour right now.

Well, yeah, kinda. But you've missed my point.

The issue we are facing needs all those affected to present a common front. If we spend our time bikering ("Labour fucked up ACC", "National only want to privatise ACC") and muddying the waters instead of focusing on the issue, this'll sneak through and bugger us in the (collective) arse. And probably continue buggering us, because successive Governments will see that riders are all an easy target and everytime they want to milk some more money, they'll hit riders again.

KB discussions (on anything involving the Government or a Government Agency) tend to dissolve very quickly into a National/Labour thing. I think it's important to try make sure everybody stays focussed.

Plus being opposed to the Government on one issue isn't the same as being opposed to the Government generally (for whatever reason you choose).

By all means, get Labour/Greens/Maori in on our side, but don't let them derail the issue for their own petty points.

[Ender EnZed]

Well, yeah, kinda. But you've missed my point.

The issue we are facing needs all those affected to present a common front. If we spend our time bikering ("Labour fucked up ACC", "National only want to privatise ACC") and muddying the waters instead of focusing on the issue, this'll sneak through and bugger us in the (collective) arse. And probably continue buggering us, because successive Governments will see that riders are all an easy target and everytime they want to milk some more money, they'll hit riders again.

KB discussions (on anything involving the Government or a Government Agency) tend to dissolve very quickly into a National/Labour thing. I think it's important to try make sure everybody stays focussed.

I agree.

By all means, get Labour/Greens/Maori in on our side, but don't let them derail the issue for their own petty points.

As far as I'm aware they really haven't had a chance yet. (The petty points part, haven't seen much positive action/attention either)

I just think that any pollies that will get riled up for our cause are likely to come from the side of the House that Nick Smith isn't on.

Plus being opposed to the Government on one issue isn't the same as being opposed to the Government generally (for whatever reason you choose).

Even if this hasn't blown over by 2011 there'll need to be some fairly serious baby eating scandals for National to be threatened with the way the polls are at the moment (and have been for quite a while) anyway.

[Mully]

As far as I'm aware they really haven't had a chance yet. (The petty points part, haven't seen much positive action/attention either)

I just think that any pollies that will get riled up for our cause are likely to come from the side of the House that Nick Smith isn't on.

Mmm, I notice none of the "opposition" parties have said anything meaningful on this subject.

While I think Labour would be doing something similar if they were in, they should be screaming blue murder.

[quote/]Even if this hasn't blown over by 2011 there'll need to be some fairly serious baby eating scandals for National to be threatened with the way the polls are at the moment (and have been for quite a while) anyway.[/QUOTE]

I agree. Although if Labour ditch Goff shorty, they might be able to have a chance.

[Ms Piggy]

With all due respect to Agnews everywhere

Thanks Mr.2. Good points.

[Ender EnZed]

While I think Labour would be doing something similar if they were in

Probably. But they're not and they aren't.

they should be screaming blue murder.

Definitely. I don't think there could be any idealogical opposition to ACC not being messed with and us not getting shafted with massive levies. They only need to complain, not fix any real problems anyway. It's not impossible they don't realise this issue this could be beneficial for them. If they don't respond to the Bikeoi then we can give up on that path.

Ms Piggy for making an effort to get them involved, a bit of continued prodding of the Opposition from bikers wouldn't go amiss.

[pete376403]

Pretty hared to keep the National / Labour thing out of it when:
1. Right wing (ie National & ACT) are philosophically opposed to state ownership of ACC and
2. The dubious calculations that are being applied to make it look like ACC is loosing money hand over fist is largely intended to set up ACC for privatisation.

[pete376403]

and this is Chris Hipkins reply to my email:
Thanks Peter

I'm with you on this one. You might be interested in the statement my colleague Rick Barker put out yesterday (pasted below).

We will keep the pressure on the National government about this. In my view it does not make sense at all.

I'm very concerned about the way they are approaching ACC in general. I think they are using these kinds of changes to ACC as a way of building resentment towards the system so that they can privatise it.

Labour's ACC spokesperson David Parker has set out alternative changes to the scheme that would not result in these huge levy increases. Unfortunately the National government have rejected them.

Chris

-------

Government moves will prejudice motorcyclists

Most bikers will see the Government’s plans to hike up motorcycle levies as irrefutable proof of the prejudice in the system against motorcyclists, says Labour MP Rick Barker.

"The decision, announced by ACC Minister Nick Smith yesterday, is arbitrary on a number of fronts.

"The cut-off points in terms of cc ratings don’t take into account the relative power of motorcycles," says Rick Barker.

"It is incompetent to treat a vintage 650cc motorcycle, which wheezes and gasps down the road as more dangerous than a 250cc modern bike capable of doing more than 200kph.

"The proposed changes also ignore the fact that many motorcyclists own multiple bikes. I have friends who own up to seven bikes, each for different purposes: off-road, trail, touring and collectables – and they could end up paying about $5000 just to ride their bikes. They can only ride one at a time.

"They will probably have to go the bank manager to ride their bikes, if Nick Smith has his way, to try to afford to pay the levies," Rick Barker says.

"The decision undermines the no-fault aspect of the ACC Scheme, particularly when most motorcycle accidents are caused by cars.

"How is it fair that a motorcyclist is knocked off their bike by a car and then charged much higher levies for the experience? This means the victim pays.

"Motorcyclists are of the view that there should be no distinction between them and car users," Rick Barker says.

"This plan is to simply drive bikes off the road, despite the fact they are more environmentally friendly than cars and help to reduce carbon emissions.

"Surely the solution is not encouraging the use of three-tonne four wheel drive planet-thrashers?"

[SPman]

(remember they hid the extent of the ACC issue prior to the election)

What issue?

ACC are fine, they aren't going to go bust anytime soon, they are bringing in more than enough to cover all their outgoings.
The "extent" of the issue is a lengthening of the time to build up a stockpile to pay for future claims if no money comes in. Unless all the long termers are going to be paid 30 yrs entitlements now, that is......

Sheesh!

At least ACT and the Maori Party haven't fallen for that yet.

and as for the Maori "Uncle Tom" party.............just how low will they crawl to suck up to a bunch of rich white guys who think they're shit.....so they can be "in the government"

The Labour Party and the Greens look as if they couldn't organise brooms in a cupboard, at the moment.....