The proposal to extend Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) coverage to mentally traumatised victims of the Christchurch mosque shootings has been rejected.

A report by Radio NZ detailed cabinet papers released earlier this week, which show ministers went against official advice by not allowing ACC to extend cover for people mentally affected by the March attack, sending victims to the Ministry of Social Development.

This is despite the ministry, in cabinet papers on April 15, advising government officials that the welfare system cannot feasibly support mentally injured people. The papers also reportedly recommended that the ACC was better placed to cover the mentally traumatized.

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Radio NZ mentioned the case of Yama Nabi, a witness of the Christchurch mosque shootings, who also lost his father in the attack. He claims the cabinet papers suggest ministers lacked compassion.

“If you go to the [Ministry of] Social Development and Work and Income, they will just turn around and say when are you starting back at work?” Nabi told the publication. “Open your heart. That’s the only thing I want to tell them [ministers].

“I don’t want to have a year off or anything like that. I just want time off with my family and with my mum,” he added.