What advice was provided to the Minister regarding proceeding under urgency rather than through the standard select committee process for the Social Security (Accident Compensation and Calculation of Weekly Income) Amendment Bill?

Answer

Ministry of Social Development advice regarding an urgent legislative process canvassed the implications of increased cases being lodged following the High Court decision, how passing the Bill under urgency may mitigate the total number of additional claims, and the need to provide certainty in the law for clients as soon as practicable. This would help uphold the longstanding policy intent for as many cases as possible, while also mitigating the financial and operational impacts of implementing the High Court decision.