MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday 23 December 1999

GOVERNMENT ACC PLAN NEEDS EXPLANATION

"Business is at a complete loss as to why the Government is so determined to return workplace accident insurance to a single government monopoly", New Zealand Employers' Federation Deputy CEO, Anne Knowles said today.

"Last year's reforms have changed the incentives that have operated for the last 25 years in the accident insurance area. They have meant better workplace safety, more emphasis on the rehabilitation of those who do get injured, choice, and greater innovation.

"And with a more "pro-competitive stance", the sort Dr Cullen talked of in his first speech as Minister of Finance, costs have also reduced.

"Business deserves some explanation as to why government wishes to reverse these successful reforms of July 1 this year.

"There is absolutely no evidence that this change is needed or that it will be beneficial to anyone - employer, employee or the Government", Ms Knowles concluded.

Contact: Anne Knowles, Deputy CEO Conor English, Manager Corporate Communications,

Ph 499 4111

© Scoop Media

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>>