Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Nathan Guy - Further work to improve ACC dispute resolution

Hon Nathan Guy

Acting Minister for ACC
20 September 2016
Media Statement

Further work to improve ACC dispute resolution


All 20 recommendations contained in an independent report on ACC dispute resolution processes will be addressed, Acting ACC Minister Nathan Guy announced today.

“It’s vital that the system for challenging ACC decisions is fair, robust, timely and cost-effective,” says Mr Guy.

“Last year the advocacy group Acclaim Otago released its own report which identified issues with current accident compensation dispute resolution processes.

“Following this, the Minister for ACC asked the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to commission an independent review of the issues raised by the Acclaim Report.”

The independent review was carried out by Miriam Dean CNZM QC, and was based on more than 50 interviews with key stakeholders, including Acclaim, lawyers and advocates, medical organisations and specialists, disabled people’s organisations, ACC, FairWay Resolution and other officials and organisations involved in accident compensation disputes.

“The independent report released today notes that both ACC and FairWay Resolution, the Crown company contracted by ACC to conduct independent statutory reviews, have done considerable work to improve the current system for handling disputes.

“However, there’s more work to do and the Government’s response to the independent report’s recommendations will ensure momentum is continued.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The issues raised by Acclaim fell under the themes ‘being heard’, ‘access to the law’, ‘access to evidence’ and ‘access to representation’.

“Ms Dean’s report finds that many of the issues raised by Acclaim are valid, and it recommends a number of possible improvements to existing practice.

“One recommendation is to increase the review costs paid to people challenging ACC decisions, to ensure they receive a meaningful contribution towards these costs.

“MBIE will release a discussion paper for consultation today, seeking views on increasing review costs by 14.9 per cent to bring them into line with the Consumer Price Index.

“In light of the progress being made towards improving the current dispute resolution system, the Government has deferred for three years a proposal agreed in 2014 to establish a stand-alone Accident Compensation Appeal Tribunal.

“This will enable further improvements resulting from the independent review to be bedded in, which may reduce the need for a tribunal.”

Go here to view the following documents:

• Independent Review of the Acclaim Otago (Inc) July 2015 Report into Accident Compensation Dispute Resolution Processes

• Summary of the proposed response to the Independent Review, addressing the individual recommendations and setting out next steps

• Cabinet Paper Response to the Independent Review of Acclaim Otago’s report into Accident Compensation Dispute Resolution Processes

Go here to view the following document:

• Consultation on Changes to the Review Costs Regulations

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.