Gerry Brownlee National Accident Insurance Spokesperson

27 June 2002

Labour confirms its anti-business reputation

"Labour - and its union cronies - have obviously been spooked by the business sector's overwhelmingly positive reaction to National's intention to open accident insurance up to competition," says National's Accident Insurance spokesman Gerry Brownlee.

"ACC Minister Lianne Dalziel should stick to the facts. Her comments in relation to Australian private insurer HIH are utter garbage.

"When National introduced competition to the employer's account all insurers were required to guarantee each others performance through the regulator's office. Therefore, not one New Zealand client of HIH has suffered from its collapse."

Mr Brownlee says both Labour and the unions are obsessed with a one-size-fits-all approach to Government. He says their slavish fixation to ACC's monopoly for accident insurance is both anti business and anti worker.

"This will confine New Zealanders to only minimal levels of compensation and rehabilitation.

"Just what have Labour and the unions got against giving workers a better deal and employers a choice?

"National wants the best for both workers and employers.

"We are absolutely committed to the 24-hour, no fault, accident insurance concept, which is unique to New Zealand and this will be enshrined in National's public/private partnerships," Mr Brownlee added.

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