9. IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Labour—Palmerston North) to the Minister for ACC: Is she satisfied that just 54 percent of the public expressed trust and confidence in ACC according to the corporation’s 2014 Annual Report?
Hon Nikki Kaye (Minister for ACC): No, I believe that ACC needs to do more to rebuild trust and confidence with New Zealanders. I am confident that ACC has a significant programme of work under way to achieve this. I am also pleased that the annual report shows trust and confidence has been trending upwards for the past few years.
Iain Lees-Galloway: Did former Minister Judith Collins damage public trust and confidence in ACC when she admitted that every New Zealander is paying too much for ACC because the Government is using excessive levies to create the perception that it will achieve a fiscal surplus in the current financial year?
Hon Nikki Kaye: Well, firstly, I disagree with the statement made in that question. But what I can say in terms of levies is that under our Government we have announced $480 million in levy reductions. That is incredibly significant, and it is a bit rich to get a lecture after the previous Labour Government left us with a huge deficit in 2008-09 of $4.8 billion.
Iain Lees-Galloway: I am going to seek leave to table a media statement, but that is because the Minister refuted the premise of my question—
Mr Speaker: Order! Members need to understand that the purpose of tabling a document is not to make a political point.
Iain Lees-Galloway: The purpose is not to make a political point.
Mr Speaker: Well, I think that in the way it has been described to me, it is very much about making a political point. The reason people seek leave to table documents is that it is information that is not readily available to members, may be difficult to source for members, and may be informative to members. If it is something that has been in the media, particularly media that is freely available to members, I do not intend to start putting the leave.
Chris Hipkins: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. In a ruling that you made—it was either earlier this week or last week—you referred us to a Speaker’s ruling that requires any statements made in a question to be authenticated, so if there is any factual material in a question, it needs to be authenticated. If a member is not able to table a document to authenticate that claim, what is the appropriate way for them to authenticate any claim that they might be making in a question?
Mr Speaker: The member, I think, is confused between a primary question and a supplementary question. The authentication is required for a primary question, and that is required in the process when it is lodged to the Clerk’s Office, and they will be accepted with authentication. With regard to supplementary questions, I have to judge relatively immediately whether it is a reasonable question, and I do that, but it is not as if there is an ability to then table information that substantiates the authentication of a supplementary question. So in this case, the primary question was authenticated, it was immediately answered in the very first word by the Minister, and we have now moved to a supplementary question. The way forward, as I continue to advise the House, is further incisive supplementary questions.
Iain Lees-Galloway: Does the Minister accept—
Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman: World weary—he’s not happy. That’s a big sigh.
Iain Lees-Galloway: Are you all right? Does the Minister accept that over the 6 years that National has been in Government, New Zealanders have overwhelmingly come to perceive ACC as difficult to deal with, likely to breach their privacy, likely to litigate against claimants, and overcharging them for the privilege; if not, why not?
Hon Nikki Kaye: No, I do not accept all of the statements made by that member. What I can say is what I have said in answer to the primary question: there is more work to do. Obviously, by a percentage that shows 54 percent public confidence, we have to do better. Let me outline some of the progress that we have made. Firstly, you can see at an investment level that ACC is now essentially fully funded. That is an extraordinary achievement for this Government, given that we were left in a situation of a debt of $4.8 billion in terms of deficit. Secondly, at an organisational level it is very clear—and I am meeting with the board tomorrow—that it has a huge programme around both updating information and communication technology systems to ensure that we have better progress around issues like privacy but also that a huge amount is being done in terms of claims management. I am confident that ACC is on the right track.
Iain Lees-Galloway: Will this morning’s article in the New Zealand Herald damage public trust and confidence in ACC, given that it detailed an attempt to cover up information about fraudulent activity, that the cover-up itself was bungled, that when pressed about the extent of fraud, ACC could only say that the information it used was not robust, and that an accurate figure for the level of fraud has not been provided?
Hon Nikki Kaye: In terms of the article in the New Zealand Herald, I do not believe that it will actually damage public trust, because you need to understand that the data is—and I want to outline why, for a number of reasons—11-year-old data. The data was from 2,000 clients, and that is out of a total of about a billion claims. So, firstly, it was a very small sample. I also understand that the figure that was quoted of 8 percent to 10 percent was not the proportion that was fraudulent; it was the proportion that needed another look. So it is old data, it is a small sample, and it is ropey.
Iain Lees-Galloway: Given that the Minister is not satisfied with the level of public trust and confidence in ACC, does she believe that the two initiatives to address public trust and confidence listed in the service agreements between ACC and former Minister Collins, which are “refresh our communications strategy” and “social media”, will be enough to improve confidence in ACC, or does she think it might take something a little bit less superficial than that?
Hon Nikki Kaye: In terms of the corporation’s programme to improve public confidence, there is a range of initiatives. There is a range of initiatives. The member is referring to a different document. He is not referring to the annual report. If he reads the annual report, he will see that not only is there a significant investment plan in terms of dealing with the privacy issues, and not only is the ACC doing a huge amount around sensitive claims, which is very important, but, thirdly, the Government is looking at the long-term funding policy. When he drills down, when he does the work and reads the annual report, he will see that one of the areas where we do need to improve public confidence is around businesses’ interaction with the ACC. There is a huge amount to do in terms of that administration side because that is where the public confidence is partly very low.
Marama Fox:
[Authorised te reo text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]
[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]
Hon Nikki Kaye: Just in terms of the translation of that question, I got only half of it, I think—
Mr Speaker: I invite Marama Fox to either repeat it in Te Reo, or, if she wants to, she can now repeat the question in English—whichever she would rather do.
Marama Fox: Perhaps I will repeat it in English. How is the Minister planning to address the projected 10 percent increase in new sensitive claims each year, and what plans does she have in place to involve whānau in the recovery process?
Hon Nikki Kaye: That is a very good question. Firstly, one area where the Government is very focused, and also the corporation is very focused, is the prevention of sexual violence. We have a strategy and an action plan around that, and they involve a number of Government agencies. The second thing I would say is I am advised that ACC is currently in the final stages of tendering for new suppliers and providers around some of those sensitive claims. That is very important so that we have more providers. Thirdly, with regard to family and whānau support, I am pleased to confirm that family and whānau of sensitive claims clients will receive support through the introduction of up to 20 hours of family and whanau support, depending on family need. I can confirm that this will be available by the end of the year.
Hon Te Ururoa Flavell: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Tēnā koe, Mr Speaker. Can I just ask the Minister with respect to the question, because I was not listening to the translation, for further information, just in case other members, Māori members, use Te Reo and we have to switch into English, which defeats the purpose. Was the issue that the Minister did not get a good translation, that the Minister did not get a translation, or that the translation was unclear—just for the purposes of—
Mr Speaker: I am sure I can answer that on behalf of the Minister. The Minister did not manage to realise it was going to be in Māori. She did not grab the headpiece in time to listen to the translation, so she picked up the latter part of the—[Interruption] I will let the Minister explain her own reasoning.
Chris Hipkins: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker: No, I am going to hear from the Hon Nikki Kaye first so we will get an explanation.
Hon Nikki Kaye: I was listening, and I heard only half, I think, of what the translation was, and other members may be able to confirm that.
Chris Hipkins: I am happy to speak to this, because I also was listening to the translation, and the translation bore very little correlation to the question that was then asked in English. This is quite a serious issue for the House, because we previously had a situation where questions were asked first in Te Reo Māori and then in English, and we moved to a system where we had simultaneous translation. If that translation is not going to actually translate what is asked, then we are going to have to reassess that. I listened very carefully to the translation. I can fully understand why the Minister did not understand what the question was. I did not understand what the question was either.
Mr Speaker: Thank you. I appreciate that. When I finally got my headpiece on, again, I found much the same as the member Chris Hipkins has said. We need to now investigate whether it was an issue to do with the translation, because it is critical, if we are going to rely on the translator, that we have an accurate interpretation of the question that is asked. Otherwise, it could lead to all sorts of difficulties for a Minister. I will look into the matter.
Showing posts with label Hansard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hansard. Show all posts
29 October 2014
13 September 2012
Question to Minister
Question 4: Kevin Hague to the Minister for ACC: Does she agree with Peter Trapski's recommendation in his 1994 Report of that "the Corporation must ensure that the opinions it obtains from medical practitioners are independent, not only of the claimant, but also of the Corporation, and that they are seen to be so"?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister for ACC): Yes.
Kevin Hague: Is she concerned that just four of ACC’s favourite specialist medical advisers— Dr Martin C Robb, Dr Vic du Plessis, Dr Bill Turner, and Dr David Beaumont—are collectively paid up to $2 million a year from ACC for services rendered?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I believe that the member is referring to a TV3 report on Sunday evening—oh, no, he is not. When it comes to saying that people are paid up to an amount, it is not particularly helpful, because it is anything under that amount. But I have been advised by ACC that for medical case reviews, it has 338 doctors who can carry out those assessments, for initial medical assessments the number is 97, for vocational initial medical assessments it is 62, and for impairment assessments it has got 59, and that, on average, the four particular doctors who were discussed on the 60 Minutes programme, whom I thought he was referring to, actually conduct between 8.7 and 4.7 percent of those particular reviews. So I hope that is helpful to the member.
Kevin Hague: Does she believe that an ordinary person would consider it possible that medical advisers like Dr du Plessis, Dr Turner, Dr Beaumont, and Dr Robb could remain independent of ACC, when it pays them between $300,000 and $500,000 each per year?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I think that that is an issue that needs to be considered, and I have spoken to ACC about it. The member will be aware that there is a new board now put in place. I will be meeting with the board and discussing—obviously not the individual cases or the matters— how we can end up with a system that, obviously, achieves good, robust, and independent medical reports and assessments, and that can be seen as independent by both the claimants or clients of ACC and ACC. I also note that even back in the year 2000—12 years ago—the same lawyers for ACC clients were claiming exactly the same issues around what they said were non-independent medical assessments. So I do not think much has changed, but I am happy to work with the member to try to get things to change.
Kevin Hague: Does she agree that an ordinary person would find it unbelievable that ACC would continue to fly these doctors around the country and pay them an average of almost $1,700 for each client they see if they were not acting as “hit men”, to use the phrase that Laurie Gluckman was described as according to Judge Trapski, in targeting the exit of long-term claimants, which ACC has referred to as low-hanging fruit?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I think it is absolutely right that people who are not highly trained skilled medical professionals, just like people who are not highly trained, very skilled legal professionals, find the fees that are charged outrageous, but that is actually something that I think most people in New Zealand would say around this area. I do not know for certain and I cannot tell the House that the medical professionals he is referring to are paid any differently from any other medical professionals—
Hon Ruth Dyson: So that makes it all right.
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: —with that degree of expertise, and I am surprised that the former Minister for ACC, who left the job so abruptly, should want to call out about this issue.
Kevin Hague: Does she accept that there is a risk that the assessments performed by a doctor who earns up to half a million dollars a year working part-time for ACC could be affected by that doctor’s desire to continue receiving such lucrative contracts from the corporation?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Well, I think that there is always that perception. Whether the perception is reality is a different matter, because as I understand it, these very highly trained, experienced medical professionals are in great demand all over the world. What we do know is that in a country the size of New Zealand, which, of course, has a fabulous health system, thanks in good part to this Government, it is thanks also to the level of qualifications and experience and the work attitude of many of the medical professionals he is referring to.
Kevin Hague: Does she agree that contracting for specialist medical assessments with district health boards or professional colleges would help ensure that they are independent and are seen to be so, as Judge Trapski says they must be?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I think the member has raised a very good point, and he has privately raised that matter with me. It is certainly one that I have raised with ACC, and now that the new board is in place I wish to take that matter further and see whether or not that is a realistic situation that we should consider.
Kevin Hague: What are the instructions she has given the reconstituted ACC board about specialist medical assessments?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I have not yet met with the board. It has only been in place a few days, but I will be attending the first board meeting to discuss some of these issues with the board members and ask them whether they can start considering these matters. I have, however, met with the chief executive, raised those issues, and asked for some suggestions. I think it is a very important issue that the member has raised.
Barbara Stewart: Will ACC cap the annual amount it spends on any individual medical assessor to avoid the risk of incentivising advisers to provide reports that ACC wants rather than independent advice?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I am not sure that that would be a good idea, particularly if, for instance, there may be only two or three specialists with the level of expertise in the country. So I think that might be a bit of a blunt instrument, but I can undertake to look at all those considerations.
http://inthehouse.co.nz/node/15035
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister for ACC): Yes.
Kevin Hague: Is she concerned that just four of ACC’s favourite specialist medical advisers— Dr Martin C Robb, Dr Vic du Plessis, Dr Bill Turner, and Dr David Beaumont—are collectively paid up to $2 million a year from ACC for services rendered?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I believe that the member is referring to a TV3 report on Sunday evening—oh, no, he is not. When it comes to saying that people are paid up to an amount, it is not particularly helpful, because it is anything under that amount. But I have been advised by ACC that for medical case reviews, it has 338 doctors who can carry out those assessments, for initial medical assessments the number is 97, for vocational initial medical assessments it is 62, and for impairment assessments it has got 59, and that, on average, the four particular doctors who were discussed on the 60 Minutes programme, whom I thought he was referring to, actually conduct between 8.7 and 4.7 percent of those particular reviews. So I hope that is helpful to the member.
Kevin Hague: Does she believe that an ordinary person would consider it possible that medical advisers like Dr du Plessis, Dr Turner, Dr Beaumont, and Dr Robb could remain independent of ACC, when it pays them between $300,000 and $500,000 each per year?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I think that that is an issue that needs to be considered, and I have spoken to ACC about it. The member will be aware that there is a new board now put in place. I will be meeting with the board and discussing—obviously not the individual cases or the matters— how we can end up with a system that, obviously, achieves good, robust, and independent medical reports and assessments, and that can be seen as independent by both the claimants or clients of ACC and ACC. I also note that even back in the year 2000—12 years ago—the same lawyers for ACC clients were claiming exactly the same issues around what they said were non-independent medical assessments. So I do not think much has changed, but I am happy to work with the member to try to get things to change.
Kevin Hague: Does she agree that an ordinary person would find it unbelievable that ACC would continue to fly these doctors around the country and pay them an average of almost $1,700 for each client they see if they were not acting as “hit men”, to use the phrase that Laurie Gluckman was described as according to Judge Trapski, in targeting the exit of long-term claimants, which ACC has referred to as low-hanging fruit?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I think it is absolutely right that people who are not highly trained skilled medical professionals, just like people who are not highly trained, very skilled legal professionals, find the fees that are charged outrageous, but that is actually something that I think most people in New Zealand would say around this area. I do not know for certain and I cannot tell the House that the medical professionals he is referring to are paid any differently from any other medical professionals—
Hon Ruth Dyson: So that makes it all right.
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: —with that degree of expertise, and I am surprised that the former Minister for ACC, who left the job so abruptly, should want to call out about this issue.
Kevin Hague: Does she accept that there is a risk that the assessments performed by a doctor who earns up to half a million dollars a year working part-time for ACC could be affected by that doctor’s desire to continue receiving such lucrative contracts from the corporation?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Well, I think that there is always that perception. Whether the perception is reality is a different matter, because as I understand it, these very highly trained, experienced medical professionals are in great demand all over the world. What we do know is that in a country the size of New Zealand, which, of course, has a fabulous health system, thanks in good part to this Government, it is thanks also to the level of qualifications and experience and the work attitude of many of the medical professionals he is referring to.
Kevin Hague: Does she agree that contracting for specialist medical assessments with district health boards or professional colleges would help ensure that they are independent and are seen to be so, as Judge Trapski says they must be?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I think the member has raised a very good point, and he has privately raised that matter with me. It is certainly one that I have raised with ACC, and now that the new board is in place I wish to take that matter further and see whether or not that is a realistic situation that we should consider.
Kevin Hague: What are the instructions she has given the reconstituted ACC board about specialist medical assessments?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I have not yet met with the board. It has only been in place a few days, but I will be attending the first board meeting to discuss some of these issues with the board members and ask them whether they can start considering these matters. I have, however, met with the chief executive, raised those issues, and asked for some suggestions. I think it is a very important issue that the member has raised.
Barbara Stewart: Will ACC cap the annual amount it spends on any individual medical assessor to avoid the risk of incentivising advisers to provide reports that ACC wants rather than independent advice?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I am not sure that that would be a good idea, particularly if, for instance, there may be only two or three specialists with the level of expertise in the country. So I think that might be a bit of a blunt instrument, but I can undertake to look at all those considerations.
http://inthehouse.co.nz/node/15035
23 August 2012
Question to Minister
4. DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) to the Minister for ACC: What are the findings of reports released today by the Privacy Commissioner and the Auditor-General about a privacy breach and governance at ACC?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister for ACC): The independent report released by the Privacy Commissioner focused on ACC’s culture, policies, and practices around privacy and security of information. It found that these were not up to 21st century standards. The Auditor-General focused on governance of the corporation, and found that senior board members involved and management failed to recognise the systems of systemic failure around privacy and security information, and did not take the appropriate steps. I agree with all the findings.
David Bennett: What specific concerns did the independent report and the Auditor-General raise, and what is ACC doing to address these?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: The independent report released by the Privacy Commissioner noted systemic weaknesses, including a variable culture around the importance of handling private information carefully and a lack of accountability for addressing privacy issues. ACC will undertake a significant programme of work to address concerns raised by both the independent report and the Auditor-General. A timetable for this programme of work is included in the report from the Privacy Commissioner, and I expect ACC to make the required changes as a priority.
Andrew Little: In view of the findings in today’s reports, both released at 2 p.m., that ACC board members, which her Government appointed, were too inexperienced to appreciate the gravity of Bronwyn Pullar’s complaints, and that the corporation took a cavalier attitude to protecting claimant privacy, what steps is she taking to fill the multiple board and senior management vacancies with people who understand ACC and the importance of utmost public confidence in it?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: The question is not quite correct in one of the assumptions. I will deal with that first and then deal with the substance of the question. In fact, the board members who were named in the reports as having not appreciated the seriousness of the situation were its longest-serving board members—the chair and deputy chair. In relation to the filling of the board positions, I can tell the member that there is a very thorough process that is ongoing. Interviews are being undertaken and I am putting a great deal of thought into making sure we get the right combination of board members with the right skills, the right character, and the right experience.
David Bennett: What expectations has she set for ACC to improve public trust and confidence in how it operates?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Earlier this year I signed a letter of expectations and a service and purchase agreement with ACC outlining my priorities for the board. I expect the ACC board to improve public trust and confidence, improve the management and security of private information, maintain a focus on levy stability and financial sustainability, ensure early resolution of disputes, and provide high-quality service for clients. The Auditor-General noted that “this approach will lead to a more balanced and comprehensive approach to the governance and operation of ACC.”
Hon Trevor Mallard: In light of the Privacy Commissioner’s comment that the ACC culture change has to start at the top, what action has she taken to plug the leaks from her office?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: There are no leaks from my office, as that member well knows.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1208/S00350/questions-and-answers-august-23.htm
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister for ACC): The independent report released by the Privacy Commissioner focused on ACC’s culture, policies, and practices around privacy and security of information. It found that these were not up to 21st century standards. The Auditor-General focused on governance of the corporation, and found that senior board members involved and management failed to recognise the systems of systemic failure around privacy and security information, and did not take the appropriate steps. I agree with all the findings.
David Bennett: What specific concerns did the independent report and the Auditor-General raise, and what is ACC doing to address these?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: The independent report released by the Privacy Commissioner noted systemic weaknesses, including a variable culture around the importance of handling private information carefully and a lack of accountability for addressing privacy issues. ACC will undertake a significant programme of work to address concerns raised by both the independent report and the Auditor-General. A timetable for this programme of work is included in the report from the Privacy Commissioner, and I expect ACC to make the required changes as a priority.
Andrew Little: In view of the findings in today’s reports, both released at 2 p.m., that ACC board members, which her Government appointed, were too inexperienced to appreciate the gravity of Bronwyn Pullar’s complaints, and that the corporation took a cavalier attitude to protecting claimant privacy, what steps is she taking to fill the multiple board and senior management vacancies with people who understand ACC and the importance of utmost public confidence in it?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: The question is not quite correct in one of the assumptions. I will deal with that first and then deal with the substance of the question. In fact, the board members who were named in the reports as having not appreciated the seriousness of the situation were its longest-serving board members—the chair and deputy chair. In relation to the filling of the board positions, I can tell the member that there is a very thorough process that is ongoing. Interviews are being undertaken and I am putting a great deal of thought into making sure we get the right combination of board members with the right skills, the right character, and the right experience.
David Bennett: What expectations has she set for ACC to improve public trust and confidence in how it operates?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Earlier this year I signed a letter of expectations and a service and purchase agreement with ACC outlining my priorities for the board. I expect the ACC board to improve public trust and confidence, improve the management and security of private information, maintain a focus on levy stability and financial sustainability, ensure early resolution of disputes, and provide high-quality service for clients. The Auditor-General noted that “this approach will lead to a more balanced and comprehensive approach to the governance and operation of ACC.”
Hon Trevor Mallard: In light of the Privacy Commissioner’s comment that the ACC culture change has to start at the top, what action has she taken to plug the leaks from her office?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: There are no leaks from my office, as that member well knows.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1208/S00350/questions-and-answers-august-23.htm
16 August 2012
Question to the Prime Minister
5. Dr Russel Norman (Co-Leader—Green) to the Prime Minister: Does he agree with the statement made by the Hon Bill English, in relation to the release of Natasha Fuller’s private details by his Social Development Minister, that, “People who enter into public debate are welcome to do so … and should provide their full information to the public”?
Hon Gerry Brownlee (Leader of the House) on behalf of the Prime Minister: Yes.
Dr Russel Norman: Does the Prime Minister agree with the director of the Office of Human Rights Proceedings that Paula Bennett breached the Privacy Act when she released Natasha Fuller’s private details without her permission?
Hon Gerry Brownlee: In fact, there has not been a finding that the Minister Paula Bennett breached the complainant’s privacy.
Dr Russel Norman: Does that mean that he supports Paula Bennett’s decision to reserve the right to release other people’s private details without their consent in the future “depending on the circumstances”, and is this now Government policy?
Hon Gerry Brownlee: No.
Dr Russel Norman: Will the Prime Minister direct other Ministers to follow the Privacy Act and not release private information without the consent of the people concerned?
Hon Gerry Brownlee: Ministers do, every day, follow the provisions of the Privacy Act and many others as well.
Dr Russel Norman: When Taleni Lafo entered the public debate about the state of Housing New Zealand Corporation homes, claiming hers was making her children sick, under what circumstances would he consider it appropriate for Ministers responsible for the Inland Revenue Department, social development, or housing to access her personal details about herself and her family and make them public?
Hon Gerry Brownlee: The first expectation would be that the Minister investigated the circumstances and remedied the problem.
Dr Russel Norman: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. My question asked about the circumstances under which it would be appropriate to release the information. The Minister talked about what they should do in the first instance. He did not address the question at all.
Mr Speaker: I think the member has got a reasonable point there. I invite him to repeat his question.
Dr Russel Norman: Thank you, Mr Speaker. When Taleni Lafo entered the public debate about the state of Housing New Zealand Corporation homes, under what circumstances would the Prime Minister consider it appropriate for Ministers to access her personal details and those of her family, and make these details public?
Hon Gerry Brownlee: That is a hypothetical question, and I am not answering a hypothetical question.
Dr Russel Norman: When sexual abuse survivors criticise Government plans to cut back ACC for sensitive claims, under what circumstances would the Prime Minister support the Minister for ACC accessing the survivors’ personal files, and releasing their private, personal details to the media?
Hon Gerry Brownlee: This is once again a highly hypothetical question. The member can go on all afternoon trying to put forward these alarming situations in a hypothetical sense. They cannot and will not be answered.
Dr Russel Norman: Are there any circumstances in which it is acceptable for a Minister of the Crown to go to the Government files and access the personal, private details of a member of the public, and release those details without consent in order to make political gain?
Hon Gerry Brownlee: I have to say, once again, he is asking for the answer to a question that poses hypothetical situations. What I can say is that when it comes to people like Stewart Murray Wilson, the public expect those details to be in the domain. Therefore, it is a very difficult question to answer specifically.
Dr Russel Norman: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I asked for, basically, a policy guideline. What is the Prime Minister’s policy for guiding Ministers on releasing this information?
Mr Speaker: The member actually asked, if I recollect correctly, whether there are any circumstances under which such information might be accessed and released. In answering it, it appeared the Minister indicated that perhaps there might be some, depending on the circumstances. That seemed to be the answer the Minister gave, because he seemed to cite a situation where that might be a desirable thing to do. It is totally the Minister’s right to answer how he sees fit, but it was certainly an answer. He indicated that there may be some circumstances.
Dr Russel Norman: Does the Prime Minister accept that having a Government that releases the private information of people who oppose Government policy—information that is available only to the State—is an approach that silences dissent, chills dissent in a democratic society, and is not acceptable in a democratic and free country?
Hon Gerry Brownlee: Well, quite clearly by the long list of examples the member has given this afternoon, that is not the case.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1208/S00247/questions-and-answers-august-16.htm
Hon Gerry Brownlee (Leader of the House) on behalf of the Prime Minister: Yes.
Dr Russel Norman: Does the Prime Minister agree with the director of the Office of Human Rights Proceedings that Paula Bennett breached the Privacy Act when she released Natasha Fuller’s private details without her permission?
Hon Gerry Brownlee: In fact, there has not been a finding that the Minister Paula Bennett breached the complainant’s privacy.
Dr Russel Norman: Does that mean that he supports Paula Bennett’s decision to reserve the right to release other people’s private details without their consent in the future “depending on the circumstances”, and is this now Government policy?
Hon Gerry Brownlee: No.
Dr Russel Norman: Will the Prime Minister direct other Ministers to follow the Privacy Act and not release private information without the consent of the people concerned?
Hon Gerry Brownlee: Ministers do, every day, follow the provisions of the Privacy Act and many others as well.
Dr Russel Norman: When Taleni Lafo entered the public debate about the state of Housing New Zealand Corporation homes, claiming hers was making her children sick, under what circumstances would he consider it appropriate for Ministers responsible for the Inland Revenue Department, social development, or housing to access her personal details about herself and her family and make them public?
Hon Gerry Brownlee: The first expectation would be that the Minister investigated the circumstances and remedied the problem.
Dr Russel Norman: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. My question asked about the circumstances under which it would be appropriate to release the information. The Minister talked about what they should do in the first instance. He did not address the question at all.
Mr Speaker: I think the member has got a reasonable point there. I invite him to repeat his question.
Dr Russel Norman: Thank you, Mr Speaker. When Taleni Lafo entered the public debate about the state of Housing New Zealand Corporation homes, under what circumstances would the Prime Minister consider it appropriate for Ministers to access her personal details and those of her family, and make these details public?
Hon Gerry Brownlee: That is a hypothetical question, and I am not answering a hypothetical question.
Dr Russel Norman: When sexual abuse survivors criticise Government plans to cut back ACC for sensitive claims, under what circumstances would the Prime Minister support the Minister for ACC accessing the survivors’ personal files, and releasing their private, personal details to the media?
Hon Gerry Brownlee: This is once again a highly hypothetical question. The member can go on all afternoon trying to put forward these alarming situations in a hypothetical sense. They cannot and will not be answered.
Dr Russel Norman: Are there any circumstances in which it is acceptable for a Minister of the Crown to go to the Government files and access the personal, private details of a member of the public, and release those details without consent in order to make political gain?
Hon Gerry Brownlee: I have to say, once again, he is asking for the answer to a question that poses hypothetical situations. What I can say is that when it comes to people like Stewart Murray Wilson, the public expect those details to be in the domain. Therefore, it is a very difficult question to answer specifically.
Dr Russel Norman: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I asked for, basically, a policy guideline. What is the Prime Minister’s policy for guiding Ministers on releasing this information?
Mr Speaker: The member actually asked, if I recollect correctly, whether there are any circumstances under which such information might be accessed and released. In answering it, it appeared the Minister indicated that perhaps there might be some, depending on the circumstances. That seemed to be the answer the Minister gave, because he seemed to cite a situation where that might be a desirable thing to do. It is totally the Minister’s right to answer how he sees fit, but it was certainly an answer. He indicated that there may be some circumstances.
Dr Russel Norman: Does the Prime Minister accept that having a Government that releases the private information of people who oppose Government policy—information that is available only to the State—is an approach that silences dissent, chills dissent in a democratic society, and is not acceptable in a democratic and free country?
Hon Gerry Brownlee: Well, quite clearly by the long list of examples the member has given this afternoon, that is not the case.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1208/S00247/questions-and-answers-august-16.htm
21 June 2012
Question to Minister
3. KEVIN HAGUE to the Minister for ACC: Can she confirm that staff in ACC’s Recovery Independence Service teams receive more or less remuneration dependent on whether the proportion of people receiving weekly compensation is less or more than specified duration targets?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister for ACC) : I have today been advised that within the performance framework for the Recover Independence Service team, there is a component related to net entries to the long-term claim pool. I have also been advised that the component related to that number was approximately 15 percent of how a case-managed performance is measured. If a case manager performs well against the other 85 percent of their targets, they may still be entitled to a performance-based pay increase.
Kevin Hague: What is the clinical basis for these targets, if any at all?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I do not think I can answer that, because it is very much an operational issue, but I can say that ACC has advised me that it uses specialist, independent vocational rehabilitation services and clinicians to help people return to their pre-injury occupation wherever possible.
Kevin Hague: Does the Minister accept that having a financial incentive to terminate claimants’ compensation is likely to make case managers more inclined to terminate compensation for more claimants?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: If the member wants to put it like that, I can understand why he would be concerned. But we can look at it another way, which is a financial incentive to help people get back to independence and get back to work. I would say that was probably a good thing.
Kevin Hague: What safeguards, if any at all, are there to ensure that staff financial incentives do not lead to clinically inappropriate decisions to terminate compensation?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I am advised that ACC uses the specialist, independent vocational rehabilitation services and clinicians, and that these people are independent, and that that is quite different from the case managers.
Kevin Hague: Is she aware that the rates of successful challenges of ACC decisions continue to rise in both the decision review process and in the District Court, and does she agree that that is indicative of something badly wrong in ACC decision-making?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I think what it does indicate is that Dispute Resolution Services is clearly quite independent of ACC, as is, obviously, the District Court. There may well be instances—as in ACC previously—where they believe that there are too many decisions being reversed on the basis that someone is clearly making the wrong decisions, the wrong call. That tells me that these are made by independent clinicians. Actually, I think it would be a bad thing if every dispute that was sent to, for instance, Dispute Resolution Services for ACC was upheld. That would tell me that the service was either not independent or that nobody was actually checking to see whether or not people can work.
Kevin Hague: What other ACC staff or contractors have financial incentives to deny claims or reduce compensation or rehabilitation services to ACC claimants?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I do not have that information.
Kevin Hague: Has she now received enough information about ACC’s disastrous claims management processes to ask the Auditor-General to bring forward her investigation of ACC’s claims management processes?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I have not actually received enough information to do that. I am aware that the Auditor-General is undertaking her review, and I am prepared to wait for that review.
Kevin Hague: I seek leave to table a document. It is a document from ACC in response to an Official Information Act request from a member of the public. It sets out the key performance indicators for staff in the Recover Independence Service teams.
Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is no objection.
Document, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.
Andrew Little: What incentives are there under the ACC performance framework for Recover Independence Service staff to ensure that ACC meets its statutory obligations in relation to treatment, compensation, and rehabilitation?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I have been advised by ACC that the performance framework relates to 10 percent of performance against organisational goals, which clearly would include what that member has just asked; 10 percent against team goals, again; 30 percent against organisational values, which are clearly those matters he has raised; and 50 percent against personal goals. The 50 percent of personal goals includes 25 percent case-management quality, 10 percent customer service, and 15 percent net entries to the long-term claim pool.
Andrew Little: How effective is the new regime for vocational rehabilitation, which is intended to assist some claimants to return to work, or to recover their independence, given that there is a new layer of administration to pay for, called lead providers, and front-line service providers are complaining of being paid less and spending less time with claimants?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I am sorry, could the member repeat his question? I did not catch all of it.
Mr SPEAKER: I ask the member, please, to do that.
Andrew Little: How effective is the new regime for vocational rehabilitation, which is intended to assist some claimants to return to work—namely, to recover their independence—given that there is a new layer of administration to pay for, called lead providers, and front-line service providers are complaining of being paid less and spending less time with claimants?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I have been advised by ACC, when I have been around visiting its offices, that what has been necessary is to actually bring in lead providers to maintain the quality of assistance that is given in terms of the claimants, because before they had a large number of providers, and very little ability to supervise the quality. So it has been, I think, cut down to about six lead providers, and that seems to be working quite well.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QOA/4/3/4/50HansQ_20120621_00000003-3-Accident-Compensation-Recover-Independence.htm
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister for ACC) : I have today been advised that within the performance framework for the Recover Independence Service team, there is a component related to net entries to the long-term claim pool. I have also been advised that the component related to that number was approximately 15 percent of how a case-managed performance is measured. If a case manager performs well against the other 85 percent of their targets, they may still be entitled to a performance-based pay increase.
Kevin Hague: What is the clinical basis for these targets, if any at all?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I do not think I can answer that, because it is very much an operational issue, but I can say that ACC has advised me that it uses specialist, independent vocational rehabilitation services and clinicians to help people return to their pre-injury occupation wherever possible.
Kevin Hague: Does the Minister accept that having a financial incentive to terminate claimants’ compensation is likely to make case managers more inclined to terminate compensation for more claimants?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: If the member wants to put it like that, I can understand why he would be concerned. But we can look at it another way, which is a financial incentive to help people get back to independence and get back to work. I would say that was probably a good thing.
Kevin Hague: What safeguards, if any at all, are there to ensure that staff financial incentives do not lead to clinically inappropriate decisions to terminate compensation?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I am advised that ACC uses the specialist, independent vocational rehabilitation services and clinicians, and that these people are independent, and that that is quite different from the case managers.
Kevin Hague: Is she aware that the rates of successful challenges of ACC decisions continue to rise in both the decision review process and in the District Court, and does she agree that that is indicative of something badly wrong in ACC decision-making?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I think what it does indicate is that Dispute Resolution Services is clearly quite independent of ACC, as is, obviously, the District Court. There may well be instances—as in ACC previously—where they believe that there are too many decisions being reversed on the basis that someone is clearly making the wrong decisions, the wrong call. That tells me that these are made by independent clinicians. Actually, I think it would be a bad thing if every dispute that was sent to, for instance, Dispute Resolution Services for ACC was upheld. That would tell me that the service was either not independent or that nobody was actually checking to see whether or not people can work.
Kevin Hague: What other ACC staff or contractors have financial incentives to deny claims or reduce compensation or rehabilitation services to ACC claimants?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I do not have that information.
Kevin Hague: Has she now received enough information about ACC’s disastrous claims management processes to ask the Auditor-General to bring forward her investigation of ACC’s claims management processes?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I have not actually received enough information to do that. I am aware that the Auditor-General is undertaking her review, and I am prepared to wait for that review.
Kevin Hague: I seek leave to table a document. It is a document from ACC in response to an Official Information Act request from a member of the public. It sets out the key performance indicators for staff in the Recover Independence Service teams.
Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is no objection.
Document, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.
Andrew Little: What incentives are there under the ACC performance framework for Recover Independence Service staff to ensure that ACC meets its statutory obligations in relation to treatment, compensation, and rehabilitation?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I have been advised by ACC that the performance framework relates to 10 percent of performance against organisational goals, which clearly would include what that member has just asked; 10 percent against team goals, again; 30 percent against organisational values, which are clearly those matters he has raised; and 50 percent against personal goals. The 50 percent of personal goals includes 25 percent case-management quality, 10 percent customer service, and 15 percent net entries to the long-term claim pool.
Andrew Little: How effective is the new regime for vocational rehabilitation, which is intended to assist some claimants to return to work, or to recover their independence, given that there is a new layer of administration to pay for, called lead providers, and front-line service providers are complaining of being paid less and spending less time with claimants?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I am sorry, could the member repeat his question? I did not catch all of it.
Mr SPEAKER: I ask the member, please, to do that.
Andrew Little: How effective is the new regime for vocational rehabilitation, which is intended to assist some claimants to return to work—namely, to recover their independence—given that there is a new layer of administration to pay for, called lead providers, and front-line service providers are complaining of being paid less and spending less time with claimants?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I have been advised by ACC, when I have been around visiting its offices, that what has been necessary is to actually bring in lead providers to maintain the quality of assistance that is given in terms of the claimants, because before they had a large number of providers, and very little ability to supervise the quality. So it has been, I think, cut down to about six lead providers, and that seems to be working quite well.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QOA/4/3/4/50HansQ_20120621_00000003-3-Accident-Compensation-Recover-Independence.htm
13 June 2012
Question to Minister
10. ANDREW LITTLE (Labour) to the Minister for ACC: What responsibility does she take for failures at ACC since the 2011 Election?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister for ACC): I take ministerial responsibility for ACC from the date I received my ministerial warrant, which was on 14 December 2011. In accordance with the Cabinet Manual, I take ministerial responsibility for the direction and the priorities of the organisation.
Andrew Little: What discussions did she have with ACC Chairman John Judge, ACC Chief Executive Ralph Stewart, or her staff about referring allegations made about Bronwyn Pullar in their 16 March report to her to the police before that reference to the police occurred?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I received a briefing from the chairman and the chief executive, and I can recall that my comment to them was that any decision that they made must be theirs and that I would stand by whatever decision they made, as is something that a Minister should do.
Hon Trevor Mallard: Did she say, when questioned about the leak: “The fact is, it also came from Ms Boag”; if so, was she indicating that Ms Boag was a possible source of the leak?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Without actually having the full context of that alleged statement, it would be difficult to answer, because I have learnt from experience not to take everything that is said at face value, from that member.
Hon Trevor Mallard: Is she denying that she said, when asked about the fact that she had passed the email on to Mr Judge and Mr Stewart: “The fact is, it also came from Ms Boag, so there are possibilities.”; will she deny saying that?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Without actually receiving and having a look at any transcript, I cannot answer that question that way. The fact is that without it in writing, and without proof of it, I cannot take that member as having put that supposed comment in context.
Kevin Hague: Is the Minister giving the House a categorical assurance that she neither instructed nor approved nor suggested that ACC make a complaint to the police concerning Bronwyn Pullar?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: My comments to the chair and the chief executive were that they must make their own decision. It is not for me to be involved in those individual decisions.
Hon Members: You said you backed them.
Hon Members: Back them or sack them?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Do they want to hear or not? [Interruption]
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: My statement was very clear to them: they must make their own decisions, and that I would back those decisions, whatever they were. Those decisions were made after they received their own legal advice, and I have since seen a legal opinion, prepared by Mr Judge’s Queen’s Counsel, which is after the event but which obviously took into account all of the events, which backed the decision of the board to refer that matter to the police for advice. The police were the right and proper authority to look at this issue.
Rt Hon Winston Peters: Can I ask the Minister, in terms of her ministerial responsibility, as to this, from a letter written by Michelle Boag, a former head of the National Party: “You will see in the correspondence attached to the email I am forwarding that while Mr Murch asked for the return of the data, he did not acknowledge that this would be contingent on reaching an agreement acceptable to both parties, which was our understanding.” That is from someone who was guilty, and convicted, of seeking to pervert the course of justice in a commission of inquiry. Is this not extortion—straight out?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I do not have ministerial responsibility for the actions of Ms Boag or of Ms Pullar.
Kevin Hague: Further to her answer to my earlier question, is she telling the House that Mr Judge had his own personal counsel working on the matter of the complaint to the police, as opposed to an ACC counsel?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I am not sure that that is in fact what I am telling the House. I am telling the House that there was legal advice. The board—[Interruption]
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I can say that Mr Judge has advised me that he had legal advice not only from ACC and ACC’s lawyers but from his own Queen’s Counsel in this matter. I have seen the opinion and it backs up Mr Judge.
Andrew Little: What knowledge does the Minister have of ACC spending money, that ought to be spent on those who have suffered injuries, on public relations advice through Acumen Republic, including spending on polling to see how ACC’s current problems should be massaged?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: That is an operational matter but I would also say that—
Hon Members: Oh!
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: It is an operational matter. It is hardly setting the policy or the direction of the board.
Hon Trevor Mallard: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. That was a very simple question: what knowledge does she have? That is her responsibility. It is not an operational matter. Matters that are the Minister’s knowledge are her responsibility—something she is trying to shift.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I will ask the member to repeat the supplementary question.
Andrew Little: What knowledge does the Minister have of ACC spending money, that ought to be spent on those who have suffered injuries, on public relations advice through Acumen Republic, including spending on polling to see how ACC’s current problems should be massaged?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: It is not a matter for me. It is a matter for the board.
Hon Trevor Mallard: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Ministers are regularly briefed by the board, orally and in writing, as to the activities of the board. Those matters then become their knowledge, for which they are answerable here.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: The matter that was raised in the supplementary question is in fact an operational matter. It may not satisfy the member, but the member has an answer.
Hon David Parker: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Minister was asked about what her knowledge was. That is not a matter of departmental responsibility. She was asked what her knowledge as Minister was. The answer may well be that she had none, and that would be a proper answer. But it is fair to ask her what knowledge she had of that.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I will seek some advice. Order! I have given a ruling, and I am going to stand by that. Members have further supplementary questions if they wish to pursue that. Members are seeking to actually litigate a ruling by further points of order.
Kevin Hague: If it is true that the Minister did not instruct, approve, or suggest the complaint to the police, and the matter was entirely an operational ACC matter, then why was the legal opinion sought by John Judge shown to the Minister?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: That is a very good question. Mr Judge sent it to me last week, because he was concerned about a story in the Dominion Post that made allegations against him. Rather than refer to the editorial policy of the Dominion Post, he felt it was right to send me the opinion that he had received.
Andrew Little: Is the Minister denying to this House that she knew that ACC has been spending money on public relations advice through Acumen Republic, including spending money on polling to see how ACC’s current problems should be massaged?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I have no knowledge of any polling being paid for, and I do not know why I would have.
Andrew Little: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The question was whether she is denying that she knows that the money is being spent. It is not about her knowledge of the polling; it is about money being spent by ACC on that activity.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, I think that the polling was related to the expenditure of money, and the member does have an answer.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1206/S00178/questions-and-answers-june-13.htm
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister for ACC): I take ministerial responsibility for ACC from the date I received my ministerial warrant, which was on 14 December 2011. In accordance with the Cabinet Manual, I take ministerial responsibility for the direction and the priorities of the organisation.
Andrew Little: What discussions did she have with ACC Chairman John Judge, ACC Chief Executive Ralph Stewart, or her staff about referring allegations made about Bronwyn Pullar in their 16 March report to her to the police before that reference to the police occurred?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I received a briefing from the chairman and the chief executive, and I can recall that my comment to them was that any decision that they made must be theirs and that I would stand by whatever decision they made, as is something that a Minister should do.
Hon Trevor Mallard: Did she say, when questioned about the leak: “The fact is, it also came from Ms Boag”; if so, was she indicating that Ms Boag was a possible source of the leak?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Without actually having the full context of that alleged statement, it would be difficult to answer, because I have learnt from experience not to take everything that is said at face value, from that member.
Hon Trevor Mallard: Is she denying that she said, when asked about the fact that she had passed the email on to Mr Judge and Mr Stewart: “The fact is, it also came from Ms Boag, so there are possibilities.”; will she deny saying that?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Without actually receiving and having a look at any transcript, I cannot answer that question that way. The fact is that without it in writing, and without proof of it, I cannot take that member as having put that supposed comment in context.
Kevin Hague: Is the Minister giving the House a categorical assurance that she neither instructed nor approved nor suggested that ACC make a complaint to the police concerning Bronwyn Pullar?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: My comments to the chair and the chief executive were that they must make their own decision. It is not for me to be involved in those individual decisions.
Hon Members: You said you backed them.
Hon Members: Back them or sack them?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Do they want to hear or not? [Interruption]
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: My statement was very clear to them: they must make their own decisions, and that I would back those decisions, whatever they were. Those decisions were made after they received their own legal advice, and I have since seen a legal opinion, prepared by Mr Judge’s Queen’s Counsel, which is after the event but which obviously took into account all of the events, which backed the decision of the board to refer that matter to the police for advice. The police were the right and proper authority to look at this issue.
Rt Hon Winston Peters: Can I ask the Minister, in terms of her ministerial responsibility, as to this, from a letter written by Michelle Boag, a former head of the National Party: “You will see in the correspondence attached to the email I am forwarding that while Mr Murch asked for the return of the data, he did not acknowledge that this would be contingent on reaching an agreement acceptable to both parties, which was our understanding.” That is from someone who was guilty, and convicted, of seeking to pervert the course of justice in a commission of inquiry. Is this not extortion—straight out?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I do not have ministerial responsibility for the actions of Ms Boag or of Ms Pullar.
Kevin Hague: Further to her answer to my earlier question, is she telling the House that Mr Judge had his own personal counsel working on the matter of the complaint to the police, as opposed to an ACC counsel?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I am not sure that that is in fact what I am telling the House. I am telling the House that there was legal advice. The board—[Interruption]
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I can say that Mr Judge has advised me that he had legal advice not only from ACC and ACC’s lawyers but from his own Queen’s Counsel in this matter. I have seen the opinion and it backs up Mr Judge.
Andrew Little: What knowledge does the Minister have of ACC spending money, that ought to be spent on those who have suffered injuries, on public relations advice through Acumen Republic, including spending on polling to see how ACC’s current problems should be massaged?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: That is an operational matter but I would also say that—
Hon Members: Oh!
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: It is an operational matter. It is hardly setting the policy or the direction of the board.
Hon Trevor Mallard: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. That was a very simple question: what knowledge does she have? That is her responsibility. It is not an operational matter. Matters that are the Minister’s knowledge are her responsibility—something she is trying to shift.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I will ask the member to repeat the supplementary question.
Andrew Little: What knowledge does the Minister have of ACC spending money, that ought to be spent on those who have suffered injuries, on public relations advice through Acumen Republic, including spending on polling to see how ACC’s current problems should be massaged?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: It is not a matter for me. It is a matter for the board.
Hon Trevor Mallard: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Ministers are regularly briefed by the board, orally and in writing, as to the activities of the board. Those matters then become their knowledge, for which they are answerable here.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: The matter that was raised in the supplementary question is in fact an operational matter. It may not satisfy the member, but the member has an answer.
Hon David Parker: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Minister was asked about what her knowledge was. That is not a matter of departmental responsibility. She was asked what her knowledge as Minister was. The answer may well be that she had none, and that would be a proper answer. But it is fair to ask her what knowledge she had of that.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I will seek some advice. Order! I have given a ruling, and I am going to stand by that. Members have further supplementary questions if they wish to pursue that. Members are seeking to actually litigate a ruling by further points of order.
Kevin Hague: If it is true that the Minister did not instruct, approve, or suggest the complaint to the police, and the matter was entirely an operational ACC matter, then why was the legal opinion sought by John Judge shown to the Minister?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: That is a very good question. Mr Judge sent it to me last week, because he was concerned about a story in the Dominion Post that made allegations against him. Rather than refer to the editorial policy of the Dominion Post, he felt it was right to send me the opinion that he had received.
Andrew Little: Is the Minister denying to this House that she knew that ACC has been spending money on public relations advice through Acumen Republic, including spending money on polling to see how ACC’s current problems should be massaged?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I have no knowledge of any polling being paid for, and I do not know why I would have.
Andrew Little: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The question was whether she is denying that she knows that the money is being spent. It is not about her knowledge of the polling; it is about money being spent by ACC on that activity.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, I think that the polling was related to the expenditure of money, and the member does have an answer.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1206/S00178/questions-and-answers-june-13.htm
12 June 2012
Questions to Minister
6. Kevin Hague to the Minister for ACC: Does she have full trust and confidence in John Judge as ACC board chair and, if her confidence is less than full, what is she doing about that?
12. Andrew Little to the Minister for ACC: What actions, apart from inviting or observing inquiries from the Privacy Commissioner and the Auditor-General, has she taken since 12 March 2012 to see that issues arising out of the wrongful disclosure of personal information by the Accident Compensation Corporation to Bronwyn Pullar have been remedied or addressed by the Corporation?
12. Andrew Little to the Minister for ACC: What actions, apart from inviting or observing inquiries from the Privacy Commissioner and the Auditor-General, has she taken since 12 March 2012 to see that issues arising out of the wrongful disclosure of personal information by the Accident Compensation Corporation to Bronwyn Pullar have been remedied or addressed by the Corporation?
04 July 2011
Question for written answer
5473 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: In response to Written Question number 02765 (2011) since 1 January 2011, broken down by month, how many casual staff are employed by ACC in the Sensitive Claims Unit?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: One casual staff member has been employed since 1 January 2011.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/d/3/3/QWA_05473_2011-5473-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: One casual staff member has been employed since 1 January 2011.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/d/3/3/QWA_05473_2011-5473-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
01 July 2011
Question for written answer
5460 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How many, if any, contractors have been employed by ACC in the Sensitive Claims Unit since 1 January 2011?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: 10 contractors have been engaged by ACC in the Sensitive Claims Unit since 1 January 2011.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/8/1/3/QWA_05460_2011-5460-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: 10 contractors have been engaged by ACC in the Sensitive Claims Unit since 1 January 2011.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/8/1/3/QWA_05460_2011-5460-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
27 April 2011
Question for written answer
2981 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What are the ACC support progammes that are solely government funded that have been available since 1 January, 2011?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: ACC funds a range of social and vocational rehabilitation support for clients. These include, for example, home help, personal care, counselling, and work preparation programmes. For clients who are earners, these programmes are funded by ACC through levies. Clients who are non-earners have their support programmes funded by government. In some cases, clients may make a contribution.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/f/3/7/QWA_02981_2011-2981-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: ACC funds a range of social and vocational rehabilitation support for clients. These include, for example, home help, personal care, counselling, and work preparation programmes. For clients who are earners, these programmes are funded by ACC through levies. Clients who are non-earners have their support programmes funded by government. In some cases, clients may make a contribution.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/f/3/7/QWA_02981_2011-2981-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
21 April 2011
Questions for written answer
2731 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers for the sensitive claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for claims decision and duplicate, by month and region since 1 January 2011?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Corrected reply: I refer the Member to the attached table.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/c/3/QWA_02731_2011-2731-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2732 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How much, if any, has the Department or Ministry spent on advertising since 1 January 2011, broken down by month and account?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: This is an operational matter for the Chief Executive.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/c/2/7/QWA_02732_2011-2732-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2733 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How much, if any, has the Department or Ministry spent on publications 1 January 2011, broken down by month and account?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: This is an operational matter for the Chief Executive.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/9/4/b/QWA_02733_2011-2733-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2734 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How many full-time equivalent staff are employed in policy or administrative roles in each Ministry or department for which the Minister is responsible, listed by department?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: This is an operational matter for the Chief Executive.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/6/5/e/QWA_02734_2011-2734-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2753 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How many sensitive claims are now pending with ACC, since 1 January 2011, that involve counselling for sex abuse victims and/or victims of domestic violence in Wairarapa?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 9590 (2010).
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/9/5/5/QWA_02753_2011-2753-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2754 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How many sensitive claims have been approved by ACC that involve counselling for sex abuse victims and/or victims of domestic violence in Wairarapa since 1 January 2011?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 9590 (2010).
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/0/5/a/QWA_02754_2011-2754-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2755 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How many sensitive claims have been declined by ACC that involve counselling for sex abuse victims and/or victims of domestic violence in Wairarapa since 1 January 2011?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 9590 (2010).
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/4/2/3/QWA_02755_2011-2755-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2756 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How many of the people have approached the ACC’ Sensitive Claims Unit for assistance, by region, since 1 January 2011?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Data is not kept on the numbers of people who may have approached ACC.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/5/7/7/QWA_02756_2011-2756-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2757 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How many sensitive claims have ACC approved since 1 January 2011, by month and region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Corrected reply: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 02731 (2011).
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/8/d/a/QWA_02757_2011-2757-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2758 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How many sensitive claims has ACC declined since 1 January 2011, by month and region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Corrected reply: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 02731 (2011).
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/4/e/3/QWA_02758_2011-2758-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2759 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What meetings has the Minister had regarding sensitive claims since 1 January 201, by date and organisation?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I did not have many meetings in the years between 201 and 1964 because I was not born. In the two and a half years since I have been Minister of ACC, I have had many meetings with claimants, counsellors, interest groups, colleagues, the Review Panel and ACC staff but too many to practically list by date and organisation.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/6/4/d/QWA_02759_2011-2759-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2760 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, oral reports relating to sensitive claims did the Minister receive since 1 January 2011, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Oral reports rarely have titles and dates, and nor do I keep a paper record of every oral discussion on every issue.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/3/8/QWA_02760_2011-2760-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2761 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, written reports relating to sensitive claims did the Minister receive since 1 January 2011, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Since 1 January 2011, I have received brief reports relating to sensitive claims in my Weekly Reports from the Chief Executive of ACC, dated: 21 January 2011 United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child (UNCROC) 21 January 2011 Update on Sensitive Claims 28 January 2011 Sensitive Claims Unit (SCU) Update 4 February 2011 Sensitive Claims Unit (SCU) Update 11 February 2011 Sensitive Claims Unit (SCU) 8 April 2011 Six Month Progress Review for Sensitive Claims Shortly, ACC will provide me with the report of the six-month review, conducted by Dr Barbara Disley, of ACC’s progress in implementing recommendations from the 2010 review of the sensitive claims clinical pathway.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/6/c/f/QWA_02761_2011-2761-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2762 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, papers did the Minister take to Cabinet, relating to sensitive claims and or ACC’s Sensitive Claims Unit, since 1 January 2011, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: No papers have been taken to Cabinet that relate specifically to sensitive claims.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/f/9/5/QWA_02762_2011-2762-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2763 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What committees, taskforces, or other work groups has the Minister or his officials established since 1 January 2011, relating to sensitive claims?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: There have been no committees, taskforces, or working groups established since 1 January 2011.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/f/b/b/QWA_02763_2011-2763-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2764 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, meetings has the Minister had with groups or individuals since 1 January 2011, by date and group relating to sensitive claims?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I have not had any formal meetings on this issue but have met informally at a number of events with counsellors and people involved in sensitive claims. The consistent message I have received is that the changes made in response to the review I initiated last year are working well and sensitive claimants are getting access in a timely way to the appropriate counselling.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/0/e/2/QWA_02764_2011-2764-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2765 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How many, if any, casual staff are employed by ACC in the Sensitive claims unit?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: One casual staff member is employed for 20 hours per week.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/6/1/f/QWA_02765_2011-2765-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2766 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What is the cost of all contractors, if any, hired by ACC’ Sensitive Claims Unit, per week, as broken down by individual contractor, since 1 January 2011?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I assume the members request includes contracted clinicians and have provided the information requested in the attached table.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/4/d/b/QWA_02766_2011-2766-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2767 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: Does ACC’ Sensitive Claims Unit administer any grants or other funding; if so, to which organisations?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: The Sensitive Claims Unit does not administer grants or funding.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/4/7/3/QWA_02767_2011-2767-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2768 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What are the dates, titles and reference numbers of all reports prepared for the Minster, relating to Sensitive Claims, since 1 January 2011?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 02761 (2011).
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/2/e/9/QWA_02768_2011-2768-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2769 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What advice has the Minister sought or received to deal with the implications of the current economic downturn for this portfolio?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: As part of ACC’s normal work, it provides me with monitoring reports throughout the year, which update me on ACC’s funding and performance issues. These reports advise significant trends, risks or issues that will impact on ACC’s performance.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/9/5/c/QWA_02769_2011-2769-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Corrected reply: I refer the Member to the attached table.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/c/3/QWA_02731_2011-2731-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2732 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How much, if any, has the Department or Ministry spent on advertising since 1 January 2011, broken down by month and account?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: This is an operational matter for the Chief Executive.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/c/2/7/QWA_02732_2011-2732-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2733 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How much, if any, has the Department or Ministry spent on publications 1 January 2011, broken down by month and account?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: This is an operational matter for the Chief Executive.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/9/4/b/QWA_02733_2011-2733-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2734 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How many full-time equivalent staff are employed in policy or administrative roles in each Ministry or department for which the Minister is responsible, listed by department?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: This is an operational matter for the Chief Executive.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/6/5/e/QWA_02734_2011-2734-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2753 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How many sensitive claims are now pending with ACC, since 1 January 2011, that involve counselling for sex abuse victims and/or victims of domestic violence in Wairarapa?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 9590 (2010).
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/9/5/5/QWA_02753_2011-2753-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2754 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How many sensitive claims have been approved by ACC that involve counselling for sex abuse victims and/or victims of domestic violence in Wairarapa since 1 January 2011?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 9590 (2010).
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/0/5/a/QWA_02754_2011-2754-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2755 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How many sensitive claims have been declined by ACC that involve counselling for sex abuse victims and/or victims of domestic violence in Wairarapa since 1 January 2011?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 9590 (2010).
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/4/2/3/QWA_02755_2011-2755-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2756 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How many of the people have approached the ACC’ Sensitive Claims Unit for assistance, by region, since 1 January 2011?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Data is not kept on the numbers of people who may have approached ACC.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/5/7/7/QWA_02756_2011-2756-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2757 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How many sensitive claims have ACC approved since 1 January 2011, by month and region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Corrected reply: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 02731 (2011).
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/8/d/a/QWA_02757_2011-2757-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2758 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How many sensitive claims has ACC declined since 1 January 2011, by month and region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Corrected reply: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 02731 (2011).
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/4/e/3/QWA_02758_2011-2758-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2759 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What meetings has the Minister had regarding sensitive claims since 1 January 201, by date and organisation?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I did not have many meetings in the years between 201 and 1964 because I was not born. In the two and a half years since I have been Minister of ACC, I have had many meetings with claimants, counsellors, interest groups, colleagues, the Review Panel and ACC staff but too many to practically list by date and organisation.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/6/4/d/QWA_02759_2011-2759-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2760 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, oral reports relating to sensitive claims did the Minister receive since 1 January 2011, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Oral reports rarely have titles and dates, and nor do I keep a paper record of every oral discussion on every issue.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/3/8/QWA_02760_2011-2760-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2761 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, written reports relating to sensitive claims did the Minister receive since 1 January 2011, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Since 1 January 2011, I have received brief reports relating to sensitive claims in my Weekly Reports from the Chief Executive of ACC, dated: 21 January 2011 United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child (UNCROC) 21 January 2011 Update on Sensitive Claims 28 January 2011 Sensitive Claims Unit (SCU) Update 4 February 2011 Sensitive Claims Unit (SCU) Update 11 February 2011 Sensitive Claims Unit (SCU) 8 April 2011 Six Month Progress Review for Sensitive Claims Shortly, ACC will provide me with the report of the six-month review, conducted by Dr Barbara Disley, of ACC’s progress in implementing recommendations from the 2010 review of the sensitive claims clinical pathway.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/6/c/f/QWA_02761_2011-2761-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2762 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, papers did the Minister take to Cabinet, relating to sensitive claims and or ACC’s Sensitive Claims Unit, since 1 January 2011, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: No papers have been taken to Cabinet that relate specifically to sensitive claims.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/f/9/5/QWA_02762_2011-2762-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2763 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What committees, taskforces, or other work groups has the Minister or his officials established since 1 January 2011, relating to sensitive claims?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: There have been no committees, taskforces, or working groups established since 1 January 2011.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/f/b/b/QWA_02763_2011-2763-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2764 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, meetings has the Minister had with groups or individuals since 1 January 2011, by date and group relating to sensitive claims?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I have not had any formal meetings on this issue but have met informally at a number of events with counsellors and people involved in sensitive claims. The consistent message I have received is that the changes made in response to the review I initiated last year are working well and sensitive claimants are getting access in a timely way to the appropriate counselling.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/0/e/2/QWA_02764_2011-2764-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2765 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: How many, if any, casual staff are employed by ACC in the Sensitive claims unit?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: One casual staff member is employed for 20 hours per week.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/6/1/f/QWA_02765_2011-2765-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2766 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What is the cost of all contractors, if any, hired by ACC’ Sensitive Claims Unit, per week, as broken down by individual contractor, since 1 January 2011?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I assume the members request includes contracted clinicians and have provided the information requested in the attached table.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/4/d/b/QWA_02766_2011-2766-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2767 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: Does ACC’ Sensitive Claims Unit administer any grants or other funding; if so, to which organisations?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: The Sensitive Claims Unit does not administer grants or funding.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/4/7/3/QWA_02767_2011-2767-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2768 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What are the dates, titles and reference numbers of all reports prepared for the Minster, relating to Sensitive Claims, since 1 January 2011?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 02761 (2011).
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/2/e/9/QWA_02768_2011-2768-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
2769 (2011). Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: What advice has the Minister sought or received to deal with the implications of the current economic downturn for this portfolio?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: As part of ACC’s normal work, it provides me with monitoring reports throughout the year, which update me on ACC’s funding and performance issues. These reports advise significant trends, risks or issues that will impact on ACC’s performance.
http://202.68.89.83/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/9/5/c/QWA_02769_2011-2769-2011-Carmel-Sepuloni-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
11 November 2010
Questions for written answer
35630 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: Has a monitoring group been appointed to oversee the installation of the Independent Review Panel’s Recommendation for the Sensitive Claims Unit and if so when and who are the members, what payments will be made to them and what are their terms of reference?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 35572 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/9/f/8/QWA_35630_2010-35630-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
35674 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the terms of reference for the report that looks “into ACC’s handing of a rape complainant’s case”, as described in the Dominion Post on 11 November 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: On 8 November 2010, at the regular meeting between officials, I asked that ACC report to me on the issue reported in that morning’s Dominion Post. A memorandum, prepared by ACC’s Sensitive Claims Unit staff, was provided to me on 12 November 2010.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/1/d/e/QWA_35674_2010-35674-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 35572 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/9/f/8/QWA_35630_2010-35630-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
35674 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the terms of reference for the report that looks “into ACC’s handing of a rape complainant’s case”, as described in the Dominion Post on 11 November 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: On 8 November 2010, at the regular meeting between officials, I asked that ACC report to me on the issue reported in that morning’s Dominion Post. A memorandum, prepared by ACC’s Sensitive Claims Unit staff, was provided to me on 12 November 2010.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/1/d/e/QWA_35674_2010-35674-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
09 November 2010
Questions for written answer
35572 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: Has a monitoring
group been appointed to oversee the implementation of the Independent
Review Panel’s Recommendation for the Sensitive Claims Unit and if so
when and who are the members, what payments will be made to them and
what are their terms of reference?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: The ACC Board has invited Dr Barbara Disley, Chair of the Independent Review Panel, to monitor the development and implementation of the recommendations in the Panel’s report after six and eighteen months. The terms of reference are currently being drafted and payment arrangements negotiated.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/8/8/QWA_35572_2010-35572-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
35388 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: How many ACC approved psychiatrists are currently being paid in relation to Sensitive Claims Unit claims - by headcount and/or full time equivalent and is there any change in this number since 8 July; if so, by how many?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: In October 2010, ACC paid 47 providers under the Psychiatrist contract for Sensitive Claims. This is compared to June 2010, when ACC paid 49 providers under the Psychiatrist contract for Sensitive Claims.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/f/d/e/QWA_35388_2010-35388-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
35389 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: Has the Minister or his Officials met with any of the oral submitters to the Independent Clinical Review of the New Treatment Pathway for Sensitive Claims since 6 September 2010: if so, who, broken down by submitter’s name and date?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 25231 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/f/c/QWA_35389_2010-35389-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: The ACC Board has invited Dr Barbara Disley, Chair of the Independent Review Panel, to monitor the development and implementation of the recommendations in the Panel’s report after six and eighteen months. The terms of reference are currently being drafted and payment arrangements negotiated.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/8/8/QWA_35572_2010-35572-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
35388 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: How many ACC approved psychiatrists are currently being paid in relation to Sensitive Claims Unit claims - by headcount and/or full time equivalent and is there any change in this number since 8 July; if so, by how many?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: In October 2010, ACC paid 47 providers under the Psychiatrist contract for Sensitive Claims. This is compared to June 2010, when ACC paid 49 providers under the Psychiatrist contract for Sensitive Claims.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/f/d/e/QWA_35388_2010-35388-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
35389 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: Has the Minister or his Officials met with any of the oral submitters to the Independent Clinical Review of the New Treatment Pathway for Sensitive Claims since 6 September 2010: if so, who, broken down by submitter’s name and date?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 25231 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/f/c/QWA_35389_2010-35389-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
01 November 2010
Questions for written answer
34755 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers for the Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for November 2009 as at 29 October 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to the attached table which shows all new sensitive claims lodged with ACC from November 2009 to October 2010, by region of injury, and the claim's current decision status. Please note that some numbers have changed since the last time this information was reported. This is due to claims being re-classified and either added to or removed from, the sensitive claims pool.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/1/4/9/QWA_34755_2010-34755-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34756 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers for the how many Sensitive Claims were lodged, and how many did ACC approve and decline in November and December 2009 and January and February 2010, by region as at 29 October 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 34755 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/7/a/f/QWA_34756_2010-34756-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34757 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers for the how many Sensitive Claims were lodged, and how many did ACC approve and decline in March, April and May 2010, by region as at 29 October 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34756 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/9/2/1/QWA_34757_2010-34757-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34758 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for May 2010 as at 29 October 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34756 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/8/9/2/QWA_34758_2010-34758-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34759 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for April 2010 as at 29 October 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34756 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/e/5/c/QWA_34759_2010-34759-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34760 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for March 2010 as at 29 October 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34756 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/7/d/4/QWA_34760_2010-34760-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34761 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for June 2010 as at 29 October 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34756 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/d/c/5/QWA_34761_2010-34761-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34762 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: How many letters, if any, has the Minister received raising concerns about Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit, since 22 July 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I have received 8 letters about the Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit, since 22 July 2010.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/0/7/4/QWA_34762_2010-34762-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34763 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: How many emails has the Minister received raising concerns about Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit, if any, since 22 July 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I have received approximately 14 emails about Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit since 22 July 2010.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/1/4/7/QWA_34763_2010-34763-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34764 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What correspondence, if any, has the Minister received raising concerns about Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit, since 22 July 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: To answer this question would require substantial work. If the member requires specific information I would be happy to provide it.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/2/2/2/QWA_34764_2010-34764-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34765 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What briefings have the Minister received in regard to the Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit, by date and title, since 22 July 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: There are other more appropriate avenues for the Member to pursue this information.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/f/0/QWA_34765_2010-34765-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34766 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What meetings has the Minister had regarding to the Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit since 22 July 2010, by date?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I frequently meet with officials to discuss ACC-related issues including issues related to Sensitive Claims.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/7/4/6/QWA_34766_2010-34766-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34767 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What papers, if any, has the Minister taken to Cabinet in regard to the Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit since 22 July 2010, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Since 22 July 2010 I have not taken any papers to Cabinet regarding Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/3/9/QWA_34767_2010-34767-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34768 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, oral reports relating to Sensitive Claims and/or the Sensitive Claims Pathway has he received since 22 July 2010, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I frequently receive oral reports relating to ACC-related issues including issues related to Sensitive Claims.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/e/7/5/QWA_34768_2010-34768-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34769 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, written reports relating to Sensitive Claims and/or the Sensitive Claims Pathway has he received since 22 July 2010, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: There are other more appropriate avenues for the Member to pursue this information.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/8/6/7/QWA_34769_2010-34769-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34770 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, papers did the Minister take to Cabinet, relating to Sensitive Claims and or ACC’s Sensitive Claims Unit, since 22 July 2010, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Since 22 July 2010 I have not taken any papers to Cabinet on Sensitive Claims and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/7/5/2/QWA_34770_2010-34770-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34771 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What committees, taskforces, or other work groups, if any, has he or his officials established since 22 July 2010, relating to Sensitive Claims?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Since the announcement of the 16 hours of support sessions on 16 August 2010, and the subsequent release of the Independent Panel’s report, ACC has been actively working with the Sensitive Claims Advisory Group (SCAG) to address the issues and concerns raised in the report and to ensure the implementation of the recommendations. As a result, three priority areas of focus have been agreed:
• Work on the development of approaches to Maori, children and adolescents,
• Work on alterations to DSM IV; and
• Work on improving counsellor capability and capacity.
Sub-committees of SCAG have been established and work is underway on these priority areas. In addition, ACC has met with representatives from relevant Government agencies to progress the recommendations in the report. These agencies include: Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Social Development, Child Youth and Family, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/8/0/0/QWA_34771_2010-34771-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34772 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, meetings did the Minister have with lobby groups since 22 July 2010, by date and group relating to Sensitive Claims?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: It is difficult to define "lobby groups". I have been approached by a number of people with an interest in sensitive claims since I was appointed Minister, but I have not kept a record of the date of these. The only formal meetings I have had have been with the Independent Review Group.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/9/0/6/QWA_34772_2010-34772-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34773 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: How many, if any, casual staff have been employed by ACC in the Sensitive Claims Unit since 22 July 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: No casual staff are employed by ACC in the Sensitive Claims Unit. However, ACC has employed six temporary workers since 22 July 2010. Three finished employment in September 2010, one will finish in November 2010, and the last two will finish in December 2010.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/1/0/c/QWA_34773_2010-34773-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34774 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What is the cost of all contractors hired by ACC’s Sensitive Claims Unit, per week, as broken down by individual contractor since 8 July 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to the attached table. A contractor is defined as a person employed on a contract for services basis, in that they provide services to an employer but are not employees: they are self-employed or employed by a third party.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/f/d/c/QWA_34774_2010-34774-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34775 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What advice has the Minister sought or received to deal with the implications of the current economic downturn for this portfolio in relation to the Sensitive Claims Unit since 22 July 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: The advice I have received on sensitive claims has not been in the context of the economic downturn but has been focused on best clinical practice.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/7/a/0/QWA_34775_2010-34775-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34786 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers for how many cases of sexual abuse reported in 2008, by region and gender, have received support from the Sensitive Claims Unit?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 8420 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/d/3/a/QWA_34786_2010-34786-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34787 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers for how many cases of sexual abuse reported in 2009, by region and gender, have received support from the Sensitive Claims Unit?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 8420 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/7/6/c/QWA_34787_2010-34787-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34788 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers for how many cases of sexual abuse reported in 2010, by region and gender, have received support from the Sensitive Claims Unit?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 8420 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/a/2/1/QWA_34788_2010-34788-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34789 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: To date for 2010 what is the average payout by the Sensitive Claims Unit, my month and region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: For the purpose of this question, ACC has defined a payout as being the average total expenditure per month per sensitive claim which received payment in the month. This figure covers all payments for a claim, such as medical fees, counselling, weekly compensation, lump sums and independence allowances. The table attached shows the average amount spent on a sensitive claim in each month in 2010 as at 30 October 2010 (excluding those claims for which no payments were made). This information is for all sensitive claims regardless of when the claim was lodged. It also includes payments made for declined claims.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/6/8/a/QWA_34789_2010-34789-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34790 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: Has the Minister discussed the Independent Clinical Review of the New Treatment Pathway for Sensitive Claims with any of his Ministerial colleagues since 6 September 2010, if so who and on what dates?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I discuss many different ACC-related issues with my Ministerial colleagues including issues relating to sensitive claims.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/8/7/QWA_34790_2010-34790-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34791 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: Has the Minister discussed the Independent Clinical Review of the New Treatment Pathway for Sensitive Claims with any of his parliamentary colleagues since 6 September 2010, if so who and on what dates?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I discuss many different ACC-related issues with my Parliamentary colleagues including issues relating to sensitive claims.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/4/d/QWA_34791_2010-34791-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34792 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for March 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 34755 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/0/a/a/QWA_34792_2010-34792-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34793 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for April 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/9/e/QWA_34793_2010-34793-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34794 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for May 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/a/c/QWA_34794_2010-34794-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34795 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for June 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/c/a/c/QWA_34795_2010-34795-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34796 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for July 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/0/1/QWA_34796_2010-34796-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34797 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, as at 29 October 2010, for the how many Sensitive Claims were lodged, and how many did ACC approve and decline in March, April and May 2010, by region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/c/3/a/QWA_34797_2010-34797-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34798 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, as at 29 October 2010, for the Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for November 2009
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/7/a/0/QWA_34798_2010-34798-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34799 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, as at 29 October 2010, for the how many Sensitive Claims were lodged, and how many did ACC approve and decline in November and December 2009 and January and February 2010, by region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/a/5/9/QWA_34799_2010-34799-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34800 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of sensitive claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for claims decision and duplicate, by region for November 2009?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/8/d/4/QWA_34800_2010-34800-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34801 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers of sensitive claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for claims decision and duplicate, by region for August, September and October 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/5/5/7/QWA_34801_2010-34801-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34802 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of sensitive claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for claims decision and duplicate, by region for March 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/f/0/9/QWA_34802_2010-34802-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34803 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of sensitive claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for claims decision and duplicate, by region for April 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/a/b/QWA_34803_2010-34803-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34804 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of sensitive claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for claims decision and duplicate, by region for May 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/a/d/5/QWA_34804_2010-34804-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34805 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of how many sensitive claims were lodged, and how many did ACC approve and decline in March, April and May 2010, by region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/d/3/6/QWA_34805_2010-34805-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34806 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of how many sensitive claims were lodged, and how many did ACC approve and decline in November and December 2009 and January and February 2010, by region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/6/d/4/QWA_34806_2010-34806-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to the attached table which shows all new sensitive claims lodged with ACC from November 2009 to October 2010, by region of injury, and the claim's current decision status. Please note that some numbers have changed since the last time this information was reported. This is due to claims being re-classified and either added to or removed from, the sensitive claims pool.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/1/4/9/QWA_34755_2010-34755-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34756 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers for the how many Sensitive Claims were lodged, and how many did ACC approve and decline in November and December 2009 and January and February 2010, by region as at 29 October 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 34755 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/7/a/f/QWA_34756_2010-34756-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34757 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers for the how many Sensitive Claims were lodged, and how many did ACC approve and decline in March, April and May 2010, by region as at 29 October 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34756 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/9/2/1/QWA_34757_2010-34757-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34758 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for May 2010 as at 29 October 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34756 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/8/9/2/QWA_34758_2010-34758-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34759 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for April 2010 as at 29 October 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34756 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/e/5/c/QWA_34759_2010-34759-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34760 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for March 2010 as at 29 October 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34756 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/7/d/4/QWA_34760_2010-34760-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34761 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for June 2010 as at 29 October 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34756 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/d/c/5/QWA_34761_2010-34761-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34762 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: How many letters, if any, has the Minister received raising concerns about Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit, since 22 July 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I have received 8 letters about the Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit, since 22 July 2010.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/0/7/4/QWA_34762_2010-34762-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34763 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: How many emails has the Minister received raising concerns about Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit, if any, since 22 July 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I have received approximately 14 emails about Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit since 22 July 2010.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/1/4/7/QWA_34763_2010-34763-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34764 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What correspondence, if any, has the Minister received raising concerns about Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit, since 22 July 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: To answer this question would require substantial work. If the member requires specific information I would be happy to provide it.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/2/2/2/QWA_34764_2010-34764-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34765 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What briefings have the Minister received in regard to the Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit, by date and title, since 22 July 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: There are other more appropriate avenues for the Member to pursue this information.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/f/0/QWA_34765_2010-34765-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34766 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What meetings has the Minister had regarding to the Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit since 22 July 2010, by date?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I frequently meet with officials to discuss ACC-related issues including issues related to Sensitive Claims.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/7/4/6/QWA_34766_2010-34766-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34767 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What papers, if any, has the Minister taken to Cabinet in regard to the Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit since 22 July 2010, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Since 22 July 2010 I have not taken any papers to Cabinet regarding Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/3/9/QWA_34767_2010-34767-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34768 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, oral reports relating to Sensitive Claims and/or the Sensitive Claims Pathway has he received since 22 July 2010, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I frequently receive oral reports relating to ACC-related issues including issues related to Sensitive Claims.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/e/7/5/QWA_34768_2010-34768-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34769 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, written reports relating to Sensitive Claims and/or the Sensitive Claims Pathway has he received since 22 July 2010, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: There are other more appropriate avenues for the Member to pursue this information.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/8/6/7/QWA_34769_2010-34769-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34770 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, papers did the Minister take to Cabinet, relating to Sensitive Claims and or ACC’s Sensitive Claims Unit, since 22 July 2010, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Since 22 July 2010 I have not taken any papers to Cabinet on Sensitive Claims and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/7/5/2/QWA_34770_2010-34770-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34771 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What committees, taskforces, or other work groups, if any, has he or his officials established since 22 July 2010, relating to Sensitive Claims?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Since the announcement of the 16 hours of support sessions on 16 August 2010, and the subsequent release of the Independent Panel’s report, ACC has been actively working with the Sensitive Claims Advisory Group (SCAG) to address the issues and concerns raised in the report and to ensure the implementation of the recommendations. As a result, three priority areas of focus have been agreed:
• Work on the development of approaches to Maori, children and adolescents,
• Work on alterations to DSM IV; and
• Work on improving counsellor capability and capacity.
Sub-committees of SCAG have been established and work is underway on these priority areas. In addition, ACC has met with representatives from relevant Government agencies to progress the recommendations in the report. These agencies include: Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Social Development, Child Youth and Family, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/8/0/0/QWA_34771_2010-34771-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34772 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, meetings did the Minister have with lobby groups since 22 July 2010, by date and group relating to Sensitive Claims?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: It is difficult to define "lobby groups". I have been approached by a number of people with an interest in sensitive claims since I was appointed Minister, but I have not kept a record of the date of these. The only formal meetings I have had have been with the Independent Review Group.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/9/0/6/QWA_34772_2010-34772-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34773 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: How many, if any, casual staff have been employed by ACC in the Sensitive Claims Unit since 22 July 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: No casual staff are employed by ACC in the Sensitive Claims Unit. However, ACC has employed six temporary workers since 22 July 2010. Three finished employment in September 2010, one will finish in November 2010, and the last two will finish in December 2010.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/1/0/c/QWA_34773_2010-34773-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34774 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What is the cost of all contractors hired by ACC’s Sensitive Claims Unit, per week, as broken down by individual contractor since 8 July 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to the attached table. A contractor is defined as a person employed on a contract for services basis, in that they provide services to an employer but are not employees: they are self-employed or employed by a third party.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/f/d/c/QWA_34774_2010-34774-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34775 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What advice has the Minister sought or received to deal with the implications of the current economic downturn for this portfolio in relation to the Sensitive Claims Unit since 22 July 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: The advice I have received on sensitive claims has not been in the context of the economic downturn but has been focused on best clinical practice.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/7/a/0/QWA_34775_2010-34775-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34786 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers for how many cases of sexual abuse reported in 2008, by region and gender, have received support from the Sensitive Claims Unit?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 8420 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/d/3/a/QWA_34786_2010-34786-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34787 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers for how many cases of sexual abuse reported in 2009, by region and gender, have received support from the Sensitive Claims Unit?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 8420 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/7/6/c/QWA_34787_2010-34787-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34788 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers for how many cases of sexual abuse reported in 2010, by region and gender, have received support from the Sensitive Claims Unit?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 8420 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/a/2/1/QWA_34788_2010-34788-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34789 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: To date for 2010 what is the average payout by the Sensitive Claims Unit, my month and region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: For the purpose of this question, ACC has defined a payout as being the average total expenditure per month per sensitive claim which received payment in the month. This figure covers all payments for a claim, such as medical fees, counselling, weekly compensation, lump sums and independence allowances. The table attached shows the average amount spent on a sensitive claim in each month in 2010 as at 30 October 2010 (excluding those claims for which no payments were made). This information is for all sensitive claims regardless of when the claim was lodged. It also includes payments made for declined claims.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/6/8/a/QWA_34789_2010-34789-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34790 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: Has the Minister discussed the Independent Clinical Review of the New Treatment Pathway for Sensitive Claims with any of his Ministerial colleagues since 6 September 2010, if so who and on what dates?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I discuss many different ACC-related issues with my Ministerial colleagues including issues relating to sensitive claims.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/8/7/QWA_34790_2010-34790-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34791 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: Has the Minister discussed the Independent Clinical Review of the New Treatment Pathway for Sensitive Claims with any of his parliamentary colleagues since 6 September 2010, if so who and on what dates?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I discuss many different ACC-related issues with my Parliamentary colleagues including issues relating to sensitive claims.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/4/d/QWA_34791_2010-34791-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34792 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for March 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question for Written Answer 34755 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/0/a/a/QWA_34792_2010-34792-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34793 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for April 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/9/e/QWA_34793_2010-34793-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34794 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for May 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/a/c/QWA_34794_2010-34794-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34795 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for June 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/c/a/c/QWA_34795_2010-34795-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34796 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for July 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/0/1/QWA_34796_2010-34796-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34797 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, as at 29 October 2010, for the how many Sensitive Claims were lodged, and how many did ACC approve and decline in March, April and May 2010, by region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/c/3/a/QWA_34797_2010-34797-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34798 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, as at 29 October 2010, for the Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for November 2009
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/7/a/0/QWA_34798_2010-34798-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34799 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, as at 29 October 2010, for the how many Sensitive Claims were lodged, and how many did ACC approve and decline in November and December 2009 and January and February 2010, by region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/a/5/9/QWA_34799_2010-34799-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34800 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of sensitive claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for claims decision and duplicate, by region for November 2009?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/8/d/4/QWA_34800_2010-34800-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34801 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers of sensitive claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for claims decision and duplicate, by region for August, September and October 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/5/5/7/QWA_34801_2010-34801-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34802 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of sensitive claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for claims decision and duplicate, by region for March 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/f/0/9/QWA_34802_2010-34802-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34803 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of sensitive claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for claims decision and duplicate, by region for April 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/a/b/QWA_34803_2010-34803-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34804 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of sensitive claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for claims decision and duplicate, by region for May 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/a/d/5/QWA_34804_2010-34804-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34805 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of how many sensitive claims were lodged, and how many did ACC approve and decline in March, April and May 2010, by region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/d/3/6/QWA_34805_2010-34805-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
34806 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers, as at 29 October 2010, of how many sensitive claims were lodged, and how many did ACC approve and decline in November and December 2009 and January and February 2010, by region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 34792 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/6/d/4/QWA_34806_2010-34806-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm
23 September 2010
Question to Minister: ACC
Hon DAVID PARKER (Labour) to the Minister for ACC: Does his recent admission that ACC has handled the issue of counselling for sexual abuse victims badly give him cause to question whether ACC has also treated victims of hearing loss badly?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for ACC) : No. The issue of sensitive claims was about best clinical practice, and with the assistance of the independent clinical reviews supported by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), it has resulted in a good outcome. The issue of hearing loss is about policy and regulation, and arises from a Cabinet decision last year that ACC should, as per its legislation, be responsible only for injury-related hearing loss and not for that caused by other factors such as age. In short, age is not an accident.
Hon David Parker: Does the Minister still assert that he had no responsibility, nor blame properly attached to him, for the mistakes made in relation to the withdrawal of accident compensation counselling for victims of sexual crimes; if so, why did we bother with question time where he was repeatedly warned about his folly?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Of course, I am responsible; I am the Minister for ACC. But my response to the issues that were raised was to seek an independent clinical review. Members opposite have been misleading when they have asserted that decisions made by clinicians were made by either me or Ministers in respect of sensitive claims.
Hon David Parker: Given the Minister’s earlier assertions that he relies on expert advice, why has he ignored the evidence from Professor Thorne and Dr Welch of the department of audiology at the University of Auckland who said: “The introduction of a percentage handicap threshold for NIHL [noise-induced hearing loss] appears to be a reaction to the cost of claims and is apparently not based on an understanding of the real NIHL situation in New Zealand.”?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The member is making reference to the ACC amendment legislation that introduced the 6 percent threshold. That decision was made finally by the Parliament but with my strong support as the Minister. I note that every workers’ compensation scheme in Australia has a threshold—
Grant Robertson: We’re in New Zealand.
Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Members opposite say that we are in New Zealand. Well, yes we are. But I also say that as a consequence of the multibillion-dollar losses that the previous Government passed on to us in the area of accident compensation, we have had to be very careful about ensuring cost-effectiveness of ACC’s expenditure.
Michael Woodhouse: What discussions has the Minister had with his colleague the Minister of Health to ensure that ACC’s systems properly respond to any changes to ensure that people are able to secure health support for any age-related hearing loss?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH: I have had very close discussions with the Minister of Health, and officials from our respective agencies have been working closely together. The current rule is that if any support for hearing loss is provided through the accident compensation scheme, then the claimant is ineligible for any support from the Ministry of Health. This has led people in the sector to assume a lack of any support from the Ministry of Health where a person has industrial hearing loss as well as age-related hearing loss. The Government is working through the options and considering the submissions that have been made. We are confident that we can come to an answer between ACC and the Ministry of Health that will be fair and will work for those who require hearing assistance.
Hon David Parker: Has the Minister seen the latest issue of the National Foundation for the Deaf’s magazine, which contains a report about people on whom his decisions are impacting, like Les Slattery, who is reported to have repaired chainsaws in the 1970s without earmuffs. If it were not for that job, he would not need hearing aids, but now at age 72 he faces cuts to his accident compensation cover for his work-related hearing loss.
Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Let me make the issue absolutely plain: ACC will meet its full obligations for hearing loss that has occurred as a consequence of industrial hearing loss. We have made that absolutely plain. As I have said, I am working closely with the Minister of Health to ensure that where a person has a mix of both industrial and age-related hearing loss, the total package is one that works well for New Zealanders.
Michael Woodhouse: Can the Minister confirm the facts of the audited accounts of ACC, which show losses of $7.2 billion in 2007 and 2008; if so, has he received any calls for a full and independent inquiry into those losses?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Yes. The audited ACC accounts show a loss of $2.4 billion in 2007-08 and $4.8 billion in 2008-09. This total of $7.2 billion exceeds that of the expected losses from all of the 61 failed finance companies. The cost of ACC’s loss to the public purse exceeds by a factor of 10 the cost of the deposit guarantees scheme. I have not received any calls from the Opposition for a full public inquiry into those losses, although I note that the inquiry into the failure to disclose the losses in the non-earners account shows that it was a breach of the Public Finance Act.
Hon David Parker: Why would older New Zealanders not see his refusal to provide proper accident compensation cover for work-related hearing loss as just part of National’s campaign to target elderly for cost-cutting, with other examples being cuts to home support, the National Falls Prevention Strategy, and orthopaedic operations for older workers who have suffered shoulder injuries?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH: This Government is very committed to providing proper support for older New Zealanders—for instance, tax changes will come into effect on 1 October, and the average superannuitant will be significantly better off with those changes. We need to look only at the biggest ever increase in elective surgery, which my colleague Tony Ryall has delivered, or at the very good work that my colleague John Carter is doing as the Minister for Senior Citizens, to realise that older New Zealanders are so much better off with the leadership from this Government.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QOA/2/a/b/49HansQ_20100923_00000005-5-Accident-Compensation-Treatment-of-Hearing.htm
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