Thursday 13th Jan 2000 Ken Shirley Media Release -- Economy

ACT ACC Spokesman Hon Ken Shirley believes that the Government's 'indecent haste' in allowing businesses just three weeks to make submissions on its bill to return ACC to a state monopoly is denying many the right to have their say.

"I am making a formal request to the Government to extend the time for submissions for another month until the end of February. It is outrageous that the Government has allowed just three weeks for New Zealanders to have their say on such a costly and disastrous piece of legislation that is driven by ideology rather than reason.

"Not only has the Government pushed this legislation through its first stages in its pre-Christmas rush, it has then called for submissions during January when most businesses and employers are taking a well earned break.

"The Government knows that its ideological obsession with returning ACC back to a state monopoly will be a disaster for businesses, employers and workers alike and that's why it has employed these sneaky tactics to try to close down opposition to the move.

"Anyone wanting to make a submission on the Bill only has until January 31to do so. It is vital that New Zealanders know that this is their only chance to make their voice heard on this vital issue through the submission process.

"ACT will be campaigning vigorously to stop the return to an accident insurance state monopoly. I am urging New Zealanders to make their submissions to expose the real cost to jobs, businesses and growth that Labour and the Alliance are hell-bent on putting New Zealanders through," said Hon Ken Shirley. ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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