Women throughout New Zealand will be horrified to learn that if they get attacked, the Minister of ACC won't defend their rights, ACT MP Donna Awatere Huata said today.

ACC Minister Lianne Dalziel is justifying ACC's failure to help the Hawkes Bay victim of a pack-rape by blaming the victim - a young solo mum - and the woman's doctor for not filling out a form correctly.

"Ms Dalziel is defending the indefensible. Even if every little point on this bureaucratic form wasn't filled out correctly, somebody from ACC should have picked up a telephone. They had weeks to do something.

"Ms Dalziel today alleged that I encouraged the victim to speak to the media. That is not true. I am disappointed that the Minister used the privilege of parliament to make such a serious allegation.

"Ms Dalziel is involving herself in dirty politics at the worst possible time. I remind her that there is a young solo mum in Hawkes Bay who can no longer work or leave her house, who needs reconstructive surgery and intensive counselling, and above all, needs some support and respect.

"The Minister's actions are inexcusable. Ms Dalziel needs to stop shielding ACC. What about the rights of this young woman in Hawkes Bay?"

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