11 July 2002
Insurance Brokers Attempt To Scapegoat ACC For Workplace Deaths Is Dishonest
The Corporation of Insurance Brokers attempt to scapegoat ACC for the 72 workplace deaths this year is a dishonest
attempt to push privatisation of ACC CTU President Ross Wilson said today
“I am appalled by the cynical misuse of these tragic deaths to try and push the political barrow of the insurance
industry” he said.
“The facts are that the number of workplace fatalities went up to 57 during the period of ACC privatisation in 1999-2000
and down again to 39 during the first year of ACC re-nationalisation in 2000-2001” Ross Wilson said
“But the reality is that it is OSH, not ACC, which has the responsibility for enforcing minimum safety standards in New
Zealand workplaces” he said
“Malcolm Congdon of CIBNZ is just attempting to target ACC to suit his objective of re-privatising ACC”. Ross Wilson
said
“With Australian insurance companies collapsing and premiums rising by up to 700% business in New Zealand can be
thankful that for the ACC reforms which saved them from similar premium hikes for workplace accident insurance here”.
“This has been acknowledged by the call by the Australian Small Business Minister Joe Hockley for Australia to again
consider a national accident compensation scheme like New Zealand’s.”
Ends