Maori Party backs Nats ACC changes

A controversial ACC bill will get over its first parliamentary hurdle after the Maori Party agreed to support it to a select committee today.

National has been in talks with ACT and the Maori Party since it released its draft bill last week in response to ACC's proposed levy hikes.

It cuts back some ACC entitlements and pushes out from 2014 to 2019 the date at which the accident compensation scheme must collect enough money to fully fund its costs.

Maori Party leader Tariana Turia said her MPs still had many concerns about the proposed changes, but believed the issues should be debated.

Mrs Turia said Maori had received less access to ACC and her party wanted to see how this bias could be addressed.

"We see that ACC is one of those issues in which every New Zealander has an interest - directly or potentially. On this important basis, we think that the people should be given the opportunity to have a say on the proposed legislation," Mrs Turia said.

"When the people have had their say, we will consider our position."

Prime Minister John Key said the Maori Party today indicated support for the legislation as it stands to a select committee.

Technically, that meant the legislation could be introduced this week, but Mr Key said National's preferred option was to continue discussions with the Act Party before finalising when the bill would be introduced.

He said it was important to get it to a select committee so New Zealanders could express their views on it.

"But from National's point of view we would want to see legislation passed, and not marooned in a select committee."

ACT leader Rodney Hide said he was still talking to National and pushing for ACC to be opened up to competition.

ACC Minister Nick Smith announced the changes last week and published a draft bill, but needs support from either ACT or the Maori Party to get a bare majority on a first reading.

Labour said it would support the Government if it put up legislation to do nothing but extend the date that ACC has to be fully funded.

Labour leader Phil Goff said he wrote to Mr Key with Labour's offer and said changing the date would give breathing room before other changes were considered.

"Our offer to date is limited to extending out the full funding period. That gives us time, it puts the issue away from imposing costs on families who are struggling in the recession."

The extra time may see changes to investment returns which would negate the need for the planned cuts, Mr Goff told reporters.

Labour opposed cutting entitlements.

Mr Key said while his party was not philosophically opposed to competition, it would need to be sure it worked in practice.

Medical practitioners faced confusion with different forms and systems under different providers last time it was tried, he said.

"We're not going to leave our medical practitioners having to fumble their way through a bureaucratic nightmare if we were to open up (the employers' account) to greater competition."

- NZPA