New Zealand First wants amendments to improve benefits to accident victims in the ACC legislation which is to be debated in Parliament this afternoon.

The Leader, Rt Hon Winston Peters, said this morning that the legislation as planned by the Government is a sop to the Trade Unions, while the opposition from National and ACT is more about corporate donations from insurance companies.

“These two political blocs have lined up on both sides of the workplace accident debate without considering the most important element – the accident victim!

“We will be moving a number of amendments to the legislation which give better entitlements to accident victims.

“The bill, instead of addressing the issue of accident victims, simply throws out the private insurance regime without giving it a reasonable trial and proper evaluation.

“It would be best to keep some of the changes that were enacted last year, to avoid yet another costly change, and to set up a mechanism to ensure that victims are always treated with dignity and fairness.

Contact: Frank Perry phone: (04) 471 9606
mobile: 021 890 307

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