A bill that would ensure women who suffer injuries while giving birth receive accident compensation has passed its first reading in Parliament.
Women who suffer injuries while giving birth will be among the beneficiaries if the bill currently before Parliament is passed. Photo: 123RF
The proposed changes in the 2021 Accident Compensation (Maternal Birth Injury and Other Matters) Amendment Bill could benefit an estimated 18,000 women each year.
The Minister for the Accident Compensation Corporation, Carmel Sepuloni, said this would help address the gender imbalance of fewer women getting ACC payouts than men.
She said it was a matter of fairness that birthing injuries, which could be severe, were covered.
The proposed changes would also make it easier for workers such as fire-fighters and sawmill staff, who might suffer from work-related gradual injuries, to seek compensation from the state.