‘Shameful’ sexual violence prevention papers on ACC chopping block

Labor says potential job cuts at ACC are “irresponsible and morally wrong” and include removing roles in sexual violence prevention.

The party also stated that jobs related to road and work safety are at stake.

Labour’s stance is backed by the Public Services Association, which said the cuts are “just more nonsense imposed on the ACC by the Government’s spending cuts”.

ACC proposes cutting more than 390 positions as part of cost-saving measures. Of them, 81 are vacant and not in front-line customer-facing teams. The proposed cuts would mean a 9% reduction in its total workforce.

ACC also proposed establishing 315 new roles in different areas of the organization, so the net total of roles lost in the proposal is 325.

ACC Labor spokesperson Rachel Boyack said the Government was choosing to put tax cuts before preventing serious incidents that could cause long-term damage.

“These cuts are irresponsible and morally wrong.

“The job of ACCs is to prevent injuries and prevent them from happening in the first place. “All the evidence points to investment in injury prevention and harm reduction being the best value for money.”

He said staff cuts at ACC would “put pressure on a vital service” that people depend on.

Family and sexual violence workplace prevention spokesperson Ginny Andersen said the ACC was the lead agency for a range of actions under New Zealand’s National Strategy and Action Plan to eliminate family and sexual violence. sexual violence (Te Aorerekura).

“I am horrified that roles related to sexual violence are on the chopping block.

“ACC has a four-year workstream to establish a primary prevention approach to sexual violence. With one in five New Zealand adults experiencing sexual assault in their lifetime, what happens now with this work is hugely important.

“The minister has been briefed and should understand the magnitude of the problem in New Zealand. “The majority of investment goes into addressing the consequences after serious harm has occurred, but we must also invest in prevention.”

“The Government’s plan to remove functions at ACC that prevent sexual violence while publishing a statement committing to action during rape awareness week is jarring and shameful.”

Yesterday, Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour, and Acting Minister for Women, Louise Upston, distributed a statement recognizing Rape Awareness Week, which runs until May 10 .

In the statement, Upston, who is also Minister for Social Development, said rape survivors told her it was important they were “listened to and supported” and that New Zealand’s workforce played a “crucial role in ensuring safety and the attention of the victims”.

Upston is acting Minister for Women, while Nicola Grigg is on paternity leave.

PSA deputy secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said the ACC was a “unique and world-leading no-fault compensation scheme” and “the envy of many other countries”.

“It makes no sense to propose these cuts, especially as our working-age population is increasing.

“This is nothing more than nonsense foisted on the ACC by Government spending cuts. We will all pay the price in the years to come with more accidents, injuries and damage.”

Fitzsimons was the Labor candidate for Rongotai in the 2023 election and was ranked 56th on their pre-election list.

Among the series of changes at ACC are significant cuts to Injury Prevention teams, he said.

“This is an absolutely vital area dealing with workplace safety, sexual violence prevention and road safety. This work aims to ensure that accidents and injuries do not happen in the first place. A government so focused on reducing costs and ‘better results’ ‘ you should invest more in these areas, not less.

“ACC cannot possibly perform better with fewer staff, especially when stress increases in the organization. All evidence points to investment in injury prevention reducing harm and offering the best value for money.

“ACC told the new Minister that ‘the financial sustainability of the Scheme (to manage personal injuries) is under pressure… With continued growth in the volume of claims each year, it is more important than ever that ACC focuses on providing the right support at the right time for customers.”

Final decisions on the proposal will be announced on June 26, and a new structure is proposed to be implemented in September.

ACC Minister Matt Doocey this afternoon issued a statement on the proposed cuts.

“As a Crown entity, these changes are an operational matter for ACC, however I have been assured that frontline services will not be affected.

“ACC has not been given a specific savings target by the government. I am aware that ACC has been considering how it can support the government’s savings priorities while ensuring it delivers the best outcomes for New Zealanders.

“I am aware that the proposed changes are subject to a good faith consultation process and that no final decision has been made.”