Press Release
Acclaim Otago
13.10.09

ACC Cuts Target the Most Vulnerable

“The government’s cuts to ACC will inflict unnecessary hardship on people already suffering from the effects of their personal injuries”, said Denise Powell, Acclaim Otago president after hearing the proposed cuts announce by ACC minister Nick Smith today. Cutting entitlements to part-time, casual and seasonal workers who are injured on the job will drive thousands of New Zealanders further into poverty, the very outcome the ACC scheme is supposed to avoid.

“Similarly, denying cover to people who harm themselves is callous and brutal, as many of these people are clearly unwell when they hurt themselves.” Cut backs to counseling and entitlements for people with sensitive claims add further insult to injury and there is real concern within the counseling community that more people will be ‘pushed over the edge’ by what they feel is cruel and inhumane treatment.

“More to the point, the government’s changes do nothing to change ACC’s culture, which National MP Michael Woodhouse admitted was a serious problem when he spoke at an Acclaim Otago forum just before last year’s election. Since the implementation of the ‘Strategy for the Management of Long Term Claims’ earlier this year, ACC’s culture has further deteriorated in our opinion.”

“If ACC really wants to save itself money, and limit levy increases, it should take a hard look at some of its assessors, paid six figure sums annually in addition to working in the public health sector and ACC’s own ballooning administration costs”, said Mrs Powell.

ENDS

NOTE:

National Day of Action
Monday October 19th

Dunedin:
Picket at 3pm outside the ACC offices (Corner Maclaggan & Clark Streets, near the Warehouse)
March to the Octagon via the National party offices
Rally in the Octagon from 4.30pm

Wellington

Monday 19th October at 12:30pm.

Meet at the Cenotaph (corner of Lambton Quay and Bowen Street). The organisers plan to get a permit to march to the steps of Parliament.

Christchurch

Date: Monday 19th October

Time: 12:30pm

Place: Starting at the speakers corner (beside the chess

board) in the Cathedral Square.

Those assembled will march to ACC offices at 262 Oxford Tce, and decorate the surrounding trees with Red Ribbons.

Ken Clearwater from Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Marie

Meyer Chairperson of NZAC Canterbury and Westcoast speaking outside

ACC. Everyone invited to wear red or something red. "Red for Outrage."

© Scoop Media