We call on the Government to repeal the Social Security (Accident Compensation and Calculation of Weekly Income) Amendment Bill.

 

This law allows the Ministry of Social Development to take compensation payments from vulnerable people who receive support while waiting for claims through the Accident Compensation Corporation.

For survivors of abuse in state care, this creates a devastating injustice.

Many survivors live with lifelong trauma and mental injury caused by abuse they experienced in state institutions.

It can take years for ACC claims to be resolved. During that time, survivors often rely on welfare support just to survive.

When compensation is finally paid, this law allows the government to claw back large portions of that payment to recover past benefits.

That means:

• Survivors receive compensation for abuse

• The government takes much of it back

• Survivors remain in poverty

This is morally wrong.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care confirmed the profound harm suffered by survivors and the need for meaningful redress.

Instead of supporting healing, this policy reclaims compensation from those who have already been failed by the state.

It also disproportionately affects the poorest survivors.

People with financial resources can survive the ACC process without welfare. Those living in poverty cannot.

We call on the Government to:

• Repeal this law immediately

• Protect compensation payments for survivors of abuse in care

• Ensure mental injury compensation cannot be treated as past income for benefit clawbacks

• Adopt trauma-informed policies that prioritise justice and healing

Sign this petition to stand with survivors and protect vulnerable communities.