Thu, 17 June 2004

Call for inquiry into ACC supported

Acclaim groups around the country congratulate Green Party MP Sue Bradford for presenting a petition calling for a Select Committee inquiry into ACC claims management. An enquiry is being requested due to the widespread dissatisfaction with claims management processes.The long awaited Auditor-General's report was incomplete and inadequate due, it seems, to the restrictive nature of the terms of reference.

The reasons for this request are as follows:

Firstly there is genuine concern that rehabilitation is not being provided according to the law and that ACC is unreasonably oppressive and un-necessarily adverse in its approach to case management. We believe that the ACC is going behind the provisions and principles of the general law (Bill of Rights Act 1990) and abrogating Parliament's clear purpose and intentions in the IPRC Act itself.

Secondly there are inconsistencies in this Act with the NZ Bill of Rights Act. The Attorney-General did not give s.7 notification to the House when the Bill, as it was then, was going through its stages in the House as she was obliged to do.

Thirdly the inquiry should look at the efficiencies, and cost -effectiveness (or not) of the administration of the scheme and ACC's prejudicial contractual arrangments which ACC has with providers along with ACC's operational and staff policies.

"We have not come across one claimant yet who does not want to be fully independent and participate within their capabilities and at their own pace." states Murray Jorgensen, president of Acclaim Canterbury Inc. "It is crucial that the Select Committee hears evidence from witnesses, on oath if necessary. "

Acclaim believes a Select Committee inquiry ought to encompass the aspects above if the inquiry is to be meaningful in the interests of justice and good governance.

ENDS

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