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The Accident Compensation Corporation’s (ACC) levy recommendations to the government have been criticised yet again.
Last week, ACC announced it is proposing that levies on petrol remain unchanged for the 2019 to 2021 period – opposing its initial recommendation in September. Instead, it is recommending collecting a higher proportion of motor vehicle account levies via rego.
Now, New Zealand National Party spokesperson for ACC Tim Macindoe claims the plan to shift a proposed petrol tax increase doesn’t change the fact that it would hurt Kiwis.
In a release, Macindoe said ACC’s decision is far from good news, suggesting the commission simply shifted the ratio funding around. This means Kiwis will still have to pay the proposed increase - just at the time they pay their registration rather than at the pump.
“This is despite the Minister saying that ACC would have to make a ‘very, very strong case’ to increase the fuel levy, which he also wouldn’t rule out,” Macindoe noted. “It now seems ACC is still looking to claim the tax from motorists by increasing the motor vehicle levy by 12%.
“A tax hike on Kiwis already battling with the rising cost of living is still a tax hike, no matter how the Labour-led government and ACC Minister Iain Lees-Galloway try to hide it.”
He challenged that ACC Minister to “front up to New Zealanders on what changes he will make to the ACC levies and refrain from dialling up costs on Kiwi families even further.”
