Call for Smith to be sacked over ACC letter

A news report from Radio New Zealand

Opposition MPs are calling for the Prime Minister to sack Nick Smith over a letter he wrote supporting an ACC claimant and friend while he was the ACC Minister. Dr Smith wrote a letter of reference on ministerial letterhead for Bronwyn Pullar's medical assessor, stating that prior to her accident she was well, capable and worked hard.
Labour Party MP Chris Hipkins says Dr Smith should be sacked over such a serious error of judgement.
Green Party MP Kevin Hague says the Prime Minister John Key should not dismiss the incident as minor.
Mr Key has already accepted an apology from Dr Smith, who is now the Environment and Local Government minister, saying he does not believe the minister breached Cabinet rules when he wrote the letter.
In August last year, Ms Pullar was mistakenly emailed details of thousands of confidential ACC claims by an ACC staff member. The corporation has claimed Ms Pullar threatened to go to the media about the breach unless she was guaranteed a benefit for two years. Ms Pullar has denied the claim.

© 2012 Radio New Zealand

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