Pansy Wong MP
National Party ACC Spokeswoman

7 January 2008

ACC Minister needs to front up

National Party ACC spokeswoman Pansy Wong says the ACC Minister needs to state whether she agrees that cosmetic surgery should be awarded to a serial burglar who has spent the past 12 years behind bars in Australia and New Zealand.

“It is offensive to the public that ACC is being intimidated by this man. His threats to take legal action to force authorities to allow him to have this procedure performed in prison are completely unacceptable.

“To date, the only person who has spoken on this issue is an ACC spokesman, who previously said that the complex and expensive surgery is cosmetic.

“He is now excusing the fact this prisoner is likely to receive cosmetic surgery on his ear by saying it is a medical procedure and that legislation would need to be changed to prevent people being funded for treatment for injuries sustained during crimes.

“The issue here is not about medical treatment. This criminal’s ear was bitten off by a police dog during an arrest in 2005. He would have received medical treatment at the time.

“ACC Minister Maryan Street needs to come out and state categorically whether she backs ACC awarding cosmetic surgery to a serial burglar or whether she will follow the style of her predecessor and hide behind bureaucrats when the going gets tough.”

ENDS

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