National manufacture crises to justify ACC privatization

Minister considering ACC 'privatisation' report
ACC Minister Nick Smith isn't confirming or denying a report that the Government is likely to open up workplace insurance to private competition. A taskforce set up to examine accident insurance, the ACC Stocktake Steering Group, has delivered an interim report to Dr Smith and Radio New Zealand reported today it outlined introducing competition in the workplace account. The Government has previously indicated it might do this, depending on the recommendations that come from the group.

Well, well, well - here we are then. Remember all the denial that National intended to privatize ACC? Remember Nick Smith turning up at ACC meetings to gag officials from speaking to political parties about how badly Nick was claiming ACC was doing?

National intend to privatize ACC even though Pricewaterhouse Coopers report CLEARLY shows the privatization of ACC would only benefit the very same Australian Insurance companies who were holding seminars last year explaining how to make the most out of National’s plan. Merrill Lynch were tipping Australia’s insurance industry off regarding National’s policy on ACC by effectively pointing out that the Aussies could make a $200 million killing if National went ahead with plans to privatize ACC which would be great for them, crap for us.

Gosh that change is feeling great isn't it NZ? Watching John Key sell your ACC off to the Aussie Insurance industry makes one wonder what all that fuss about power saving lightbulbs and water saving shower heads was all about now doesn't it?

Oh and while we are talking about ACC, isn't it wonderful that this Government's cruelty to force sex victims to prove they are mental before they can access counselling has already borne such fruit as a persons life...

Denied help for sexual abuse, dead days later
A review of new rules for sexual abuse counselling has come too late to save a South Auckland mother who died four days after her claim for ACC-funded counselling was rejected. Counselling Services Centre manager Emma Castle said the mother-of-three's claim for counselling for sexual abuse she had suffered as a child was rejected by ACC two months ago on the grounds that she had not suffered "a significant mental injury".

...good on ya National, what a compassionate policy.