Review into risk ratings

The government has launched the start of ACC’s public levy consultation process today with reductions worth $450 million in 2016/17 spread across work, earners’ and motor-vehicle levies. The proposals are based on the board’s new funding policy of each levied account targeting assets within a band of 100 and 110 per cent of the account’s liabilities. “This will help ensure ACC is adequately funded to withstand economic volatilities, without over-collecting levies,” says Nikki Kaye, Minister for ACC. “In July this year, the average motor-vehicle levy fell from around $330 to $195 bearing in mind the actual amount paid by car owners depends on the risk rating of their vehicles. “Under ACC’s proposed reductions for 2016/17, the average motor-vehicle levy would reduce again to about $130. This represents total average reductions over two years of around $200. “This year’s levy consultation is notable in that ACC’s proposed levy rates factor in the removal of residual levies. Because of the way this will impact work levies, the government signalled a desire to remove residual levies at the same time as levies reduce, if possible, to offset increases to work levies paid by businesses in some industries. “The combined effect of removing the residual levy and today’s proposed work levy reductions would see around 75 per cent of businesses paying a lower work levy, with the levy reduced by as much as one-third for some. About 25 per cent of businesses would see their work levy increase as a result of paying a fairer share of injury costs in their industry. “There will also be a small reduction to the earners’ levy paid by all salary and wage earners, to fund out-of-work injury costs. Final levies won’t be confirmed until after the consultation process. “During this year’s consultation, ACC will also consult on my behalf on a number of factors, including a long-term funding policy for the scheme under new legislation passed last week. I am proposing the long-term funding policy mirrors the ACC Board’s new funding policy. “ACC will also consult on my behalf on potential refinements to the motor vehicle risk-rating policy. When risk rating was applied to motor vehicle levies in July, I said this was a new system which would be refined over time. “Following discussions with key stakeholders, such as the AA, Motor Industry Association and Motor Vehicle Importers Association, I am proposing some pragmatic changes to the rules which will enable greater consistency and integrity in the placement of vehicles in particular rating bands. “Risk rating is an important tool to encourage safer cars on our roads and to ensure fairer levies. Even if we prevent one or two serious injuries a year, this will save millions of dollars.” The ACC Board has confirmed its proposal is to not change the general motorcycle levy and this proposal will be out for consultation. “Separately to the board, I have requested that ACC consults on a reduction to the motorcycle safety levy, from $30 to $25,” adds Kaye. “This is about recognising the current safety levy account holds good reserves. This levy is focused on funding safety initiatives aimed at making motorcycling safer on New Zealand roads. “After discussions with the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council and other motorcyclist representatives, I can confirm that preliminary scoping will be done into potential safety incentive schemes for motorcycle levies. “This would potentially allow levies to reflect possible safety features of motorcycles or safe behaviour of riders. “Other issues that will be consulted on by ACC on my behalf include routine changes to classification units, which identify a business’ activity and are used to calculate work levies, and liable earnings limits used to calculate levies.” More information can be found online at www.shapeyouracc.co.nz.