Anne Tolley National Party East Coast MP

18 September 2007

ACC hits employer with $1m bill for shoot-out

National Party East Coast MP Anne Tolley says it is unfair that AFFCO is being slapped with a $1 million bill for a gang shoot-out outside its premises.

"Employers should have to pay for work-related accidents, but it defies common sense that an employer gets hit with a million-dollar bill for a gang shoot out."

ACC is billing AFFCO for a total claim of $1 million for an employee who was seriously injured in a shooting arising from a Black Power- Mongrel Mob incident in April 2003. The shooting occurred during a work break outside the secured premises of the meatworks, in the car park.

"This is a ridiculous decision."

AFFCO is part of the accredited employer ACC scheme that enables employers to take direct responsibility for employees' accident costs. At issue is the line between work and non-work accidents. Employers are prohibited from insuring against such risks.

"This is not just an issue for AFFCO, but for farmers and other employers.

"These ACC costs add to the cost of meat processing and will inevitably be passed on to farmers.

"It also sends a worrying signal to other employers about the sort of ACC bills that are beyond their control and may come their way," says Mrs Tolley.

ENDS

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