Gerry Brownlee

Opposition ACC Spokesperson

Tuesday 21 March 2000

Govt MPs refuse to hear reason

Government MPs have stonewalled the Opposition amendments to its ACC legislation which would have taken heed of some of the huge outpouring of opposition to the move, National ACC spokesperson Gerry Brownlee said today.

"We gave Government MPs a last-minute chance to show they had listened to the opponents of renationalisation, and to remedy some of the worst effects.

"But they turned a deaf ear on us and on all New Zealanders.

"By refusing to listen to the arguments against this very unpopular move, Government MPs have set a trap for themselves. I challenge them to go back to their electorates and look voters in they eye and explain why they refused to hear reason.

"National attempted to use the committee stages of the Accident Insurance (Transitional Provisions) Bill this week constructively.

"One of our amendments would have required the huge employers' account fund under ACC to be subject to the same prudential supervision that private insurers were subject to.

"The legislation lets the fund build up - but has no safeguards about where it can be invested.

"National wanted the prudential supervision measures to ensure the money is not siphoned off by the Government of the day, or put into bad or risky investments.

"However, Dr Cullen is too keen on gathering up other people's money. We'll be keeping a very close eye on how the fund is used," Mr Brownlee said.

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