Mataua Kahurangi: ACC removes race-based targets

ACT has welcomed the decision by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) to remove race-based targets from a recent tender for delivering injury prevention programmes, following pressure from ACT MP Laura McClure.

The change comes after McClure raised concerns that the use of ethnicity-based criteria breached the Government's directive that public services should be delivered based on need, not race. She first outlined ACT’s concerns in a formal letter to the Minister on 22 April and later brought the matter to public attention through the media.


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Commenting on the development, McClure said:

“ACT takes 'need, not race' seriously. We negotiated this approach as a coalition commitment, and we expect to see our coalition commitments delivered.

Everyone deserves to come home safely from work, regardless of their race.

Using race as a proxy for vulnerability is lazy and unscientific. ACC contractors should look at all factors that contribute to accidents, such as hours worked, job type, and experience level – and target services accordingly to minimise accidents across the board.”

She also cited a key excerpt from the relevant Cabinet Circular, which states:

“Cabinet expects agencies will recognise that there are many variables that can be used to identify and assess need, and that all variables should be considered before ethnic identity is automatically used to determine need.”

McClure concluded by thanking the Minister for acting to uphold the coalition’s principles, saying, “I'm grateful that the Minister has taken action to enforce this coalition commitment.”

Matua Kahurangi is just a bloke sharing thoughts on New Zealand and the world beyond. No fluff, just honest takes. He blogs on https://matuakahurangi.com/ where this article was sourced.