[ACT] PM has closed ears, closed mind - Ken Shirley

Statements made by the Prime Minister in question time today are an outrage, says ACT Deputy Leader Ken Shirley.

The Prime Minister was asked the basis for her claim that there is no evidence to suggest that private insurers do a better or more cost effective job than the state-run ACC scheme.

Mr Shirley said the Prime Minister's statement that she would not be influenced or change her mind on the basis of evidence presented indicated an administration with a closed mind.

"The evidence before the select committee is overwhelming that the competitive model has delivered substantial benefits," Mr Shirley said.

"Improvement in workplace safety, a 40% reduction in the rate of claims reported to the accident regulator, a 40% reduction in off-work claims, increased production and sustained family incomes, plus a 30% reduction in premiums, with almost $200 million available for investment in injury prevention and increased employment opportunities - these are the benefits that competition has brought us.

"Under the old ACC monopoly there were 205 disputes per 100,000 claims reported to the regulator, whereas under the private market there were only 28 per 100,000.

"These are the benefits the Prime Minister has closed her ears and mind to," Mr Shirley said.

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