Yesterday the government backed away from its changes to ACC's handling of rape and child abuse claims, restoring a limited level of counselling. That's good news, but I can't help noticing the vile behaviour of Nick Smith over the issue. Having forced it on ACC as a cost-saving measure and backing it to the hilt, he's now trying to pretend that he had nothing to do with it and it is all ACC's fault. We should not accept this. Quite apart from Smith's direct role in these changes, he is the Minister. And that means the buck stops on his desk.
These changes have been a cruel, vicious disaster, which have seen rape victims denied the assistance they need (and deserve). And Smith should be held to account for it.
