Abstract:
On July 1 1999, New Zealand’s workers’ compensation
system was privatised. Was this a desirable reform or market
madness?
Early last year, we reviewed national occupational health
practice in the Journal,1 concluded that the standard was
poor and identified contributory factors. We recommended
strategies common to successful workers’ compensation
systems.2 Unfortunately, I do not believe the Accident
Insurance Act I (AIA) is the legislative solution to these
problems and I do not accept the argument that market
forces will correct problems in system access, performance
and cost.
