National keeps repeating the same untruths about Labour's ACC policy, Labour ACC spokesperson Ruth Dyson said today.

"The Nats are becoming increasingly desperate as their support erodes. That desperation is shown by today's caucus crisis meeting - instead of being out on the hustings, the National MPs have gathered in Wellington to try and find someone to blame for their dismal campaign performance.

"A similar desperation is shown in the flurry of media statements on ACC from minor National MPs. They have demonstrated a complete ignorance of the facts about injury compensation.

"A survey like the one conducted by the Tourism Industry Association only shows half the picture. There are employers who believe they are now paying less in premiums for workplace injury insurance. What they have failed to allow for is the residual claims levy that still has to be paid to ACC and risk-sharing arrangements which will cost them money.

"If an employers private insurance premium is less than half of last year's ACC premium, then and only then are they likely to be better off.

"The claim of one Palmerston North employer that he might review his business plans if Labour wins the election, merely reflects an Employers Federation campaign against Labour.

"International experience shows that a well-managed single public model is the best way to deliver accident compensation. The changes Labour proposes will make injury prevention the first priority, followed by proper rehabilitation and compensation.

"National's scare campaign on ACC, like its vitriolic attack on unions, is gaining no resonance with the voters. They would be better to focus, like Labour, on the big issues that concern New Zealanders; like proper health care, access to education and job creation," Ruth Dyson said.

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>