Incentives for safety a positive feature of Nats ACC policy

Business is supportive of the principles outlined today in the National Party’s ACC policy, says Business NZ Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly.

“Better incentives in the form of lower premiums for a good safety record would encourage a culture of safety,” Mr O’Reilly said.

“The principle of competition and choice in the ACC work account is also supported.

“Business would also like to see all accounts investigated for instances of cross-subsidy or cost-shifting - not just the work account - as such practices make the scheme less transparent for premium payers.”

Mr O’Reilly said employers would hope that other important issues would also be addressed by the party’s intended investigation into ACC.

“We would like to see employers reimbursed for the $800 million of business levies held unused in ACC reserves, and to see an end to the over-charging that caused it.”