PM Press Conference – ACC Levies Fall | Chorus | Snowden

PM Press Conference – ACC Levies Drop | Chorus | Snowden Leaks - 2 December 2013

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By Hamish Cardwell

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At his weekly post cabinet press conference Prime Minister John Key announced ACC levy reductions for worker and employers, discussed the independent report on Chorus copper pricing due on Thursday, and said the GCSB did not collect wholesale metadata on New Zealand citizens.

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ACC minister Judith Collins announced a $387 million reduction in ACC levies from April next year, which was “in line with the ACC board recommendations”.

Motor vehicle levies would remain the same for now but she expected to introduce cuts in in July 2015.

On Chorus copper pricing Mr Key said he did not want to see any slowdown in the roll out of UFB.

“We need it for out schools, hospitals and businesses”.

An independent report on pricing was due on Thursday, and the the government needed to look at to see what the implications would be. If Chorus could not meet its commitments the government would need to look at all its options. These could include changing the contract between the UFB provider and the Government. However he said he did not think the Government would look to take an equity stake in the company.

He said did not think that contract allowed Chorus to break the contract by taking a fine and walking away.

On the Edward Snowden leaks, Mr Key said he rang the GCSB director today who assured him the agency did not collect wholesale metadata on New Zealand citizens.

Mr Key also discussed China's new air-defense zone, court settlement for thalidomide victims, the Christchurch East by-election, recent deaths in the forestry industry, New Zealand's invitation to join the G20 Summit, and Transmission Gully.

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ENDS

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