ACC Ads don't have Kiwis "Covered"

Heather Roy
Tuesday, 10 April 2007
Press Releases - Health

ACC's $5 million "pat on the back" has come back to bite it with a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority being upheld and ACC required to pull its "Covered" television advertisements in their present form says ACT Deputy Leader Heather Roy.

"ACC's current advertising campaign telling Kiwis they are covered in the event of an accident is clearly misleading and the newspaper, radio and internet advertisements must also come under scrutiny for possibly breaching the advertising code of conduct.

"The advertisements are blatant self-promotion - there is no prevention message, no information on what Kiwis are eligible for or how to apply for compensation. Many Kiwis feel anything but 'covered' when they confront the bureaucracy and ambiguity of ACC's rules.

"It is outrageous that a state owned monopoly, funded with taxpayers' money is diverting $2.3 million for self congratulation instead of using those funds to help injured Kiwis" Mrs Roy said.

"The entire "covered" campaign is costing New Zealand taxpayers $5.1 million over the next four years. For this Kiwi patients could have 300 hip replacements or 1,700 cataract operations or 180 coronary bypasses.

"ACC Minister Ruth Dyson - who has vigorously defended this spending - needs to be reminded that ACC is a government monopoly; there is no competition and no choice for the public. As Minister she must ensure quality spending decisions are made - instead she sees a $5 million Labour Party advertising campaign by stealth as value for money.

"Clearly ACC is seriously worried about a change of government and has already started promoting itself in anticipation of a return to competition under a National-ACT government" Mrs Roy said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media