Barrister Warren Forster to Examine Extending ACC Scheme

International Research Fellow to Examine Extending ACC Scheme to Include All Disability

The New Zealand Law Foundation is pleased to announce that Dunedin barrister, Warren Forster has been awarded the 2017 New Zealand Law Foundation International Research Fellowship.

Mr Forster will research overseas systems to develop recommendations for a world-leading disability system that doesn’t distinguish between sickness and accidents, and is focused on support and empowerment for people in need rather than shifting costs within the health system.

Lynda Hagen, Director of the Law Foundation explains “The International Research Fellowship is New Zealand’s premier legal research award, providing recipients up to $125,000 for study in New Zealand and overseas that makes a significant contribution to our law.”

“This is an opportunity to develop an idea to completely transform people’s experience with disability in New Zealand” says Mr Forster.

Mr Forster said “Fifty years ago this week, Sir Owen Woodhouse published his world leading report into New Zealand’s personal injury system. We’ve now got the opportunity to make the integrated world leading disability system that he envisaged.” Forster continues, “Sir Owen foresaw the problems that we see now when we discriminate based on cause of disability. People’s experiences in both ACC and the disability system need to be improved.”

“I would like to thank the New Zealand Law Foundation for the support that they have given me. It is an honour and a privilege to be recognised with New Zealand’s premier legal research award. Now we have the opportunity to bring Sir Owen’s vision to life.”

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