The Government's new promises of better rehabilitation and enhanced compensation thanks to its new ACC law change have to be treated with suspicion, National ACC spokesperson Gerry Brownlee said today.

"Dr Cullen has indicated in Parliament today that legislation for lump sum payments will be before the House shortly.

"Dr Cullen's looking through rose-tinted glasses if he thinks lump sum payments alone will improve ACC and improve rehabilitation.

"The payments were abandoned in 1992 because of widespread abuse.

"In some cases lump sum payments could be appropriate, but we are far from convinced that the ACC monopoly will maintain enough rigour and discipline on the system to prevent abuse, and ensure recent efficiencies are maintained.

"We want to see more details of Dr Cullen's proposals.

"ACC has made considerable strides in improving rehabilitation and services thanks to the brief period of competition.

"But the return of lump sum payments could see a return to the excesses of the past.

"The new legislation will also give National a fresh chance to send it back from the select committee with provisions clearing the way for competition to be re-introduced."

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