CTU MEDIA RELEASE
2 April 2008

Independent evaluation shows New Zealand’s ACC scheme is world leader

“The jury is in – ACC is a world leader and brings both economic benefits and social benefits to the country. The case to retain this core asset is now clear,” CTU president Helen Kelly said.

ACC this week published an independent report conducted by Pricewaterhouse Coopers (Sydney) on the social and economic impacts of the scheme.

“All New Zealanders benefit from ACC. Workers and employers have cheaper premiums than overseas privatised schemes offer, non earners including children and older people are covered, sports people are covered. For all these groups their cover is better, and for workers, they are back at work on the job earning their full wage quicker.”

“In Australia for example, workers pay on average $2 in every $100 towards their worker compensation scheme. In New Zealand, under ACC, it is 78 cents per $100 – and this is for better cover!”

“The report also found that ACC offered broader coverage than every other scheme in the world, and other schemes are generally more fragmented, complicated and more narrowly focused.”

“Given the demonstrable economic and social benefit to New Zealand, National should tell voters why ideology should rule when it comes to their policy of privatising one of New Zealand’s best assets,” Helen Kelly said.

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