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Access: The case for a Royal Commission into Accident Compensation, Disability and Income Support

18 Responses

  • Hilary Stace,

    It was actually 1974 before the ACC was up and running. It had a long gestation. My friend, the late JB Munro, was delegated by the Kirk government (in which he was a junior MP) to help it get going. It started with just two employees.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Thanks, Hilary. The programme for that event looks interesting.

    Has anyone talked about how to protect an enlarged ACC from being plundered by future governments, like the current organisation has been over the years?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace, in reply to Sacha,

    Very important to future proof the principles and any future improvements. I'm sure there are people who have thoughts on how to do that. In the late 1990s the National Government partially privatised it which was quickly reversed by the incoming Labour government, but National policy in the 2008 election was to reprivatise. I think that was one of the motivations for unions and advocates starting ACC Futures. Privatisation was avoided through strong campaigning, although Nick Smith as Minister did some pretty drastic cuts to eligibility most of which still haven't been reversed.

    I think this current government is looking at how to make 'foundational' changes in policy in many areas which are not readily overturnable by a different government. Part of it is to have improvements which are so enduringly popular that there is political risk in changing them.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Spikey,

    Hi Hilary, thanks for your post. It was of great interest to me because I'm a mid-forties woman with a rare genetic progressive condition which affects my mobility. I have post-graduate qualifications and have worked and paid taxes since I graduated. Despite this I have to pay for costly private medical and physiotherapy treatment because the DHB is unable/unwilling to provide me with interventions that I need. It really grates that if I had killed someone drunk driving I would be provided with all the interventions I needed, as well as house and car mods, and income compensation. Unfortunately I can't make your event on Friday, but I'd like to get involved for the future. Is the best way to join ACC Futures? Thanks.

    Since May 2020 • 1 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace,

    Thanks Spikey. I think some of the day will be livestreamed on the ACC Futures Facebook page. It is also easy to join ACC Futures Coalition which is a online google group.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Rosemary McDonald, in reply to Hilary Stace,

    Hiya Hilary. Looking at ACC Futures website I'm not seeing anything that indicates a commitment to eliminating the gross disparities in access to supports between ACC claimants and others that has persisted for the past 4 decades.

    ACC Futures' focus seems to be on strengthening, expanding and consolidating entitlements for those already under the wing of ACC. Meanwhile, the rest languish... with no entitlement to any supports to manage impairments through MOH and minimal income support through MSD.

    I'm very much inclined towards cynicism on this issue and I do not believe there will be anything from ACC Futures that will alleviate the inequities for non-ACC disabled.

    The ACC Futures website uses the word "entitled". Those with significant impairments 'supported' by MOH are entitled to nothing. Nada. Until this one basic difference between the two groups is eliminated there will be no hope of anything approaching security for non ACC impaired.

    The $95 fee for the event in Wellington will be a barrier for many in this group.

    Waikato, or on the road • Since Apr 2014 • 1346 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Rosemary McDonald,

    Please do read the programme - if your reservations were correct it would not include several sessions focused on that core inequity.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Rosemary McDonald, in reply to Sacha,

    It still predominantly focuses on ACC. And the $95 fee excludes most. And nowhere do I see any mention of the fact that those on ACC are entitled...and those under MOH are not. This is a fundamental issue, and the lack of any entitlement leaves non ACC impaired in an state of constant precariousness.

    Would it be too much to hope that when non ACC disabled do get a mention that the paper.... Joint ACC and Health Spinal Cord Impairment Initiative and Implementation Plan
    Situation Analysis Paper 24 th  February 2013
    Prepared by 
    Christine Howard‐Brown and Jo Esplin

    ...especially pages 83 - 85 which compare supports for those with spinal impairment between ACC and MOH. Still the best comparison between the two groups and a non -cynic might wonder why on earth it is not widely referred to.

    A dismal read, and still very relevant since despite their best efforts there are still some pre - ACC spinal injured still alive and fighting the MOH system which is largely hostile.

    Waikato, or on the road • Since Apr 2014 • 1346 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Rosemary McDonald,

    nowhere do I see any mention of the fact that those on ACC are entitled…and those under MOH are not.

    In the schedule for the event, why would you expect that detail?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace,

    Hi Rosemary. You are right. ACC Futures was started mainly by lawyers and unionists who want ACC to work better. Addressing the ACC/MoH disparity is not a major focus of the 2018 manifesto, as other issues are considered more urgent. But it is part of the agenda, and is important to me.

    https://cdn-flightdec.userfirst.co.nz/uploads/sites/accfclone/files/PDFs/2018/Manifesto_24_January_2018_-_latest.pdf

    It is a voluntary organisation with many people who bring a variety of perspectives and ideas about how to have a better, more equitable system. Everyone is welcome to join the lively google group. (By the way there was an unwaged $45 fee for the seminar yesterday.) Many people had worked very hard to make a successful forum and it was a worthwhile day. Much of it was livestreamed on the ACC Futures Facebook page and that video is probably still available if you want to see the range of topics that were discussed.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Marky Ramone,

    Getting harder and harder to get Accident Compensation these days.

    Since May 2021 • 4 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace, in reply to Marky Ramone,

    Depends what for. Some things easier, some things require a bit of persuasion and maybe legal intervention.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace,

    I am not sure about a Royal Commission any more. They can be long and convoluted and this government has said no more of them. But I would still like an inquiry in to accident compensation and income support, even by a Parliamentary Select Committee. I will be watching the latest social insurance employment initiative carefully. We could be setting up another two-tiered approach to support, rather than something simple and universal.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Hilary Stace,

    Disability advocacy organisations with nous would be using the expansion into employment to push again for the ACC system to cover non-accident disability as well.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Hilary Stace,

    Much of it was livestreamed on the ACC Futures Facebook page and that video is probably still available

    Is it anywhere else for those of us without a Facecloth account?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace, in reply to Sacha,

    I think they are re-doing their webpage and will be able to post it there then. But do you have to sign up to Facebook just to view some material? Last week some of us spoke at the Wellington Fabians. That video should be on their website soon.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Hilary Stace,

    But do you have to sign up to Facebook just to view some material?

    Often, yes.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace,

    https://www.fabians.org.nz/

    Fabians video channel - ACC Futures discussion is on it.

    I am very pleased that Steve Maharey is the new Chair of ACC. There might be some progress now.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

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