MAG-NZ opposes the Motorcycle Safety Levy

[Mom]

No disrespect meant in my post.

I believe MAG will be selling their members short by not being included in the future shape and direction of the MSL. A reality is it (MSL) will go ahead, there is no way it will be rolled back. How can MAG will influence or contribute from the 'outside'? You will be seen as 'just another minority'.

None taken. I believe Mag will be selling their members short if we go back on one of the fundamental principles we believe in. We are opposed to the erosion of the Woodhouse principles that founded ACC, we want one levy for all, we have said it from the start and wont be backing down from that stance.

Look, none of us are enemies here, we have to trust, just as you do, that these groups representing bikers on the MSL EG do have our best interests at heart and will "spend" the MSL wisely for the benefit of all, not just themselves. This is not an us and them situation.

Mag-NZ was and still is opposed to the fact that the MSL was imposed, we never agreed to it, and will continue to campaign against unfair and discriminatory treatment of the motorcyclists of New Zealand.

[MSTRS:Me]

Also, MAG is going on about one road user levy for all But then is trying to get the road toll charges removed...

Had to laugh about this...

MAG-NZ will support the removal of charges for motorcycles on all toll roads.

One line in MAG-NZ's position statement. I don't see this as a call to war, as you seem to be suggesting. Supporting removal is NOT the same as fighting for it. Besides, there are, what?, 2 toll roads in NZ, and no-one is forced to use them. Might be different if there wasn't an alternative road available...

[StoneY]

Mis-information it may be. It came directly from a respected club member (who had certain other things to say, as well). He was reporting what had 'come out of a recent get together of the MSL members'.
Something stinks, and it aint my armpits.

Oh really? Club name, members name?
Facts please not inuendo or suggestive comment, FACTS!
I sit on that committee in person bro, and never heard ANYTHING even remotely like that stated whatsoever.

[MSTRS:Me]

Not on open forum, mate.
I'm not sure that I should even mention specifics beyond the words.
But rest assured, what I said above is exactly what was told to a room full of people.
Jim Tuckerman was there and he did not deny any of it - you can ask him.

[Waxxa]

I too think that to acheive change you need to be on the 'inside' rather than oppose from the 'outside'.

Is there any sense in waiting to see what this levy goes towards first before we start spewing?!

If this levy is going in the right direction that is voiced from Motorcyclists...cool! (having said that, a lot of riders aren't gonna pay their regos or start doing 6mths not 12mths so revenue will not be as large as expected hence to smaller payouts on improvements).

[Paul S]

Not on open forum, mate.
I'm not sure that I should even mention specifics beyond the words.
But rest assured, what I said above is exactly what was told to a room full of people.
Jim Tuckerman was there and he did not deny any of it - you can ask him.

Hi all,

I thought that it was appropriate that I respond to this thread as I am the Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ) representative on the MSL establishment group.

Unfortunately you appear to have aquired a number of small snippets of information and created a wrong conclusion and posted it in a public forum.
MNZ has a number of clubs and members who currently work with Local Body Road Safety coordinators around NZ to assist in a range of programs aimed at motorcycle safety. These are and have been operating for a number of years in many cases. There is a new initiative mooted for the Bay. This has nothing to do with the Motorcycle Safety Levy and anybody stating that it is, is incorrect.

Paul Searancke

[StoneY]

Hi all,

I thought that it was appropriate that I respond to this thread
Paul Searancke

Thanks Paul

I can confirm this is true as paul has stated, we are both on the MSL

Cheers all

[MSTRS:Me]

In which case, I thank you for the correct info.
However, if people 'close' to the MSL group are going round talking about the levy and getting monies from ACC for good works, then there is never going to be a lot of trust in those that have been appointed, or invited on the MSL committee on behalf of us all.
Put in other words...there are those with agendas that make it hard to know who to believe as regards what happens with money that we oppose being taken in the first place.

[bogan]

No disrespect meant in my post.

I believe MAG will be selling their members short by not being included in the future shape and direction of the MSL. A reality is it (MSL) will go ahead, there is no way it will be rolled back. How can MAG will influence or contribute from the 'outside'? You will be seen as 'just another minority'.

There is strength in unity; not just with what we are all trying to achieve but also in the message fed back to our community, which is evident in some of the misunderstanding and miscommunication I have seen, even in this thread.

MAG comment on addressing; 'lowering motorcycle accidents by highlighting roads for improvement, and encouraging the provision and participation in rider training courses, for both learner and experienced motorcyclists, and reducing the severity of remaining accidents by promoting the use motorcycle friendly road furniture'. What MAG is not addressing is rider psychology and attitudes towards safety - this is not covered off in rider training, and is a message that needs to be continually addressed.

My five cents..

The MSL is tied in with the rego increase, we feel we cannot support one while trying to get the other overturned. And MAG-NZ has big plans to continue to fight the levy increases!

If we get support like MAG-UK has, we will certainly not be seen as just another minority.

We encourage road users of all types to take responsibility for their actions, whether this results in direct campaign action or just our principals is still up for debate, bear in mind we haven't even had our official launch yet!

And your unbiased and intelligent comments are more than welcome!

[admenk]

I'm a bit torn on this one. Part of me agrees that it's often better to work with the system (ACC in this case) to change it, while part of me worries that by doing that, we give out the signal (however unintentional) that we've all accepted the rise in levies.

Maybe a dual approach of BRONZ (and others) working for change from within, and MAG working for change from without, is the way to go. In that case, we all need to respect each other's differences of opinion on how it's done, and concentrate on reaching the final goal.

One thing that that Nick Smith would love, is for us all to start slagging each other off over which is the best approach.

[yungatart]

I believe that there is room for both approaches here. Those who see it is fine to take our blood money and spend it on us, and those who don't.

Each is entitled to their view. I happen to side with MAG-NZ on this one.

In fact, those that oppose the talking of the blood money in the first place are in the position of keeping those with their hands on the purse strings honest. There is a real danger that a whole industry can be set up around the MSL with a vested interest in keeping it going.

[Bald Eagle]

There is a real danger that a whole industry can be set up around the MSL with a vested interest in keeping it going.

It's a much smaller gravy train than either Parliamentary salaries or Treaty Industry costs, so I think we can afford it.

[yungatart]

It's a much smaller gravy train than either Parliamentary salaries or Treaty Industry costs, so I think we can afford it.

So that makes it okay?

I don't think you speak for me....I certainly can't afford it...like many others I can't afford my rego increase either.

[Bald Eagle]

I knew we needed a serious tongue in cheek being sarccy smillie.

[bogan]

I knew we needed a serious tongue in cheek being sarccy smillie.

I use the or ones. Maybe you can answer the question stoney ignored, will bronz support (by encouraging it members to turn up) MAG anti-levy-increase rides or rallys?