International Organisation Spying On ACC Claimants

Earlier this year a protest outside the Greymouth ACC office in support of an ACC claimant was photographed from a car which stopped for about ten to fifteen seconds opposite the scene of the demonstration.

The protest in support of a wheelchair-bound man who was trying to have his chair repaired or replaced was extensively discussed on Mark Bennet's Radio Pacific Show and attracted about 40 participants. The car numberplate was traced to an international "relocation" organisation named SIRVA whose website specifies governments and military amongst their clients. My interest was rekindled when one of my contacts reported that SIRVA are known to have been involved regarding another South Island ACC claimant which raises the obvious question, why are they doing this? New Zealanders have become accustomed to security agents' presence in ACC offices but why is SIRVA being used to snoop on claimants and their supporters?

I have today asked the Greymouth ACC manager John Doidge to explain but in the meantime if anyone has other information concerning SIRVA surveillance of ACC matters I would appreciate hearing from them. David Tranter Lake Ellesmere 29.7.04
email davidtranter@clear.net.nz

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