Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694861455134.pdf (Fiji)
STANDING COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AFFAIRS Review Report of the Accident Compensation Commission Fiji 2018 Annual Report PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Parliamentary Paper No.

91 of 2022 Published and Printed by the Department of Legislature, Parliament House, SUVA.
August, 2022 Table of Contents Chairperson’s Foreword .....................................................................................................................3 1.0 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................4 1.1 Background ....................................................................................................................................... 4 2.0 Findings and Recommendations ..............................................................................................5 SDG Analysis ......................................................................................................................................6 4.0 Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................7 Members Signature…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8 2 | P a g e Chairperson’s Foreword The Standing Committee on Economic Affairs is pleased to submit to Parliament, the Review Report of the Accident Compensation Commission Fiji 2018 Annual Report.
The no-fault compensation scheme was introduced by the Fijian Government through the Accident Compensation Act 2017 to address the various challenges and delays that were formerly faced by individuals who were involved in Motor Vehicle accidents.

The Committee commended the Accident Compensation Commission Fiji for the services they provided, in particular the no fault basis of the compensation paid to families of accident victims for the period under review.
During the submission, the CEO stated that the benefit of the no-fault scheme was realized in the very first few payments of compensation.

Some of the cases brought forward were such that the applicants would not have been entitled to compensation given the requirement of proving fault under the previous law.
The Committee was made aware that ACCF had collaborated with key organizations such as Ministry of Health, Ministry of Employment, Ministry of Education, Land Transport Authority, Fiji Police Force and Legal Aid Commission to deliver their services efficiently and commended such collaborations.

Furthermore, it was noted during submission that majority of the Motor Vehicle Accidents were due to Careless and Dangerous Driving.
It is urged that all drivers use caution and be mindful of the various risks careless drivers pose not only to themselves but to other road users too.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend our appreciation to the Chief Executive Officer of ACCF and his team members for making time to present before the Committee.

Finally, I would like to thank our Committee Members who were part of the team that produced this report: - Deputy Chairperson Hon.

Veena Bhatnagar, Hon.

Sachida Nand, Hon.


Inosi Kuridrani and Hon.

Ro Filipe Tuisawau.

I also take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the Parliamentary Staff who have given us invaluable support.

On behalf of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, I commend the Review Report of the Accident Compensation Commission Fiji 2018 Annual Report.
3 | P a g e 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background The Accident Compensation Commission, Fiji (ACCF) discharges its duties under the no-fault compensation scheme which is governed by the Accident Compensation Act 2017 and supporting Regulations.

The ACCF pay compensation for serious injuries and deaths from motor vehicle accidents since 01st January 2018 on a no-fault basis.

ACCF works with the vision of providing excellent support to victims of accidents.
The ACCF engages with various stakeholders such as Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Fiji Police Force and the Legal Aid Commission on a regular basis to ensure efficient service delivery.

Committee Remit and Composition The Committee is made up of five (5) Members of Parliament, three (3) of which are Government members and two Opposition members.
According to Section 109(2) (a) the Standing Committee is responsible to look into matters related to economic development, finance, banking and taxation.

4 | P a g e 2.0 Findings and Recommendations 1.

The Committee commends the Accident Compensation Commission Fiji for the services they provided, in particular the no fault basis of the compensation paid to families of accident victims for the period under review.

2.
2.

The Committee is aware that ACCF had collaborated with key organizations such as Ministry of Health, Ministry of Employment, Ministry of Education, LTA, Fiji Police Force and Legal Aid Commission to deliver their services efficiently.

The Committee encourages such collaborations.

3.


The Committee recommends for ACCF to continue working with various media outlets and stakeholders to promote, educate and raise awareness about the services provided especially the importance of paying the FNU Levy in relation to Workers Compensation.

4.

The Committee noted that for the period under review ACCF covers compensation for personal injuries and deaths caused by motor vehicle.
Furthermore it was also noted that ACCF had committed to include employment and school accidents compensation from 1st January 2019.

The Committee recommends that ACCF, in consultation with other stakeholders, explore opportunities of extending the ACCF cover to other accidents such as Sports Injuries.

5.
5.

Given that the majority of Motor Vehicle Accidents were due to Careless and Dangerous Driving, the Committee recommends that ACCF and other stakeholders such as LTA continue to enhance measures and means to mitigate careless and dangerous driving amongst the general public.
5 | P a g e Sustainable Development Goals Analysis As part of its review the Committee is also mindful of the requirements of the Standing Orders of Parliament whereby all matters before the Committee are to be reviewed through a gender lens.

This is supplemented by the Committee’s appreciation of the Parliament’s role in contributing towards the Global Agenda.

A summary of the activities by the Commission is stated below.

SDG 5 Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and Girls.
Following the establishment of the ACCF in 2018, the workplace ratio was appreciated, in creating a balanced work environment for both genders as there were 11 males and 8 female staff at the time SDG 8 Promote Sustained, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth, Full and Productive Employment and Decent Work.

In 2018 the ACCF paid compensation for motor vehicle accidents on a no fault basis.
As stated by the CEO’s report, the Safety is not just a matter for Government, or any one entity or institution, we should all take responsibility for ensuring that we look after the safety of ourselves and others, on the roads, in the workplace, in schools and anywhere else we visit.

It is also important that we educate our children from a very young age about safety and the risks and hazards around us.
6 | P a g e 4.0 Conclusion The Committee was satisfied with the overall performance of the ACCF for the period under review.

The Committee was pleased with the introduction of the no-fault compensation scheme which is a significant milestone in terms of accident compensation and looks forward to ACCF’s future reports to determine their performance and progress since its inception.

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