Update

Update on Accident Compensation (Extended Cover for FENZ Personnel) Amendment Bill

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National news
Sector advocacy

You may recall that Labour MP Hon. Kieran McAnulty’s Accident Compensation (Extended Cover for FENZ Personnel) Amendment Bill was recently drawn from Parliament’s member’s bill ballot – otherwise known as the biscuit tin.

This was a really positive step forward in our campaign for fairer ACC cover for volunteers.

UFBA met with Kieran yesterday to talk through where things are at and how we can continue supporting the Bill. He remains committed to seeing this work progress, but there is now a significant timing challenge we need to work through.

So, what’s happening?

The Government is currently sitting under urgency. One of the flow-on effects is that Members’ Days have been postponed. These are the days when member’s bills, including this ACC Bill, get their first reading and debate in Parliament.

The Bill was expected to have its first reading during one of the two Members’ Days that have now been postponed.

That matters because Parliament rises on 24 September ahead of the election. If the Bill does not receive its first reading before then, it will lapse.

Importantly, that doesn’t mean the end of the road. The Bill could be reintroduced in the next Parliament, but it would mean a longer journey to get this change across the line.

There is still an opportunity for an extended sitting to deal with members’ business before Parliament rises, but this would need to be requested by a Minister.

Where to from here?

We’re exploring every avenue available to keep the Bill moving and are continuing conversations about what can be done before Parliament rises.

At the same time, we’re working through two alternative pathways should the Bill not progress in time. We’re not putting all our eggs in one basket.

The goal hasn’t changed: fair and equitable ACC protection for volunteers.

Legislative change remains our Plan A, and we’ll keep working collaboratively with MPs, members and others across the sector to get there.

We’ll keep you updated as things develop.