10. Hon MARK GOSCHE (Labour—Maungakiekie) Link to this
to the Minister for ACC
Has she received any reports regarding the delivery of the ACC scheme?
Hon MARYAN STREET (Minister for ACC) Link to this
Yes, I have. An independent review by PricewaterhouseCoopers said that the Accident Compensation Corporation, under its current Government monopoly structure, is performing as well as or better than privatised alternatives, and is cheaper for employers. It described the scheme as representing international best practice.
Did the report make any recommendations about privatising the Accident Compensation Corporation or making structural changes to the accident compensation scheme?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
Yes, it did. The report said international comparative studies had “failed to establish any evidence which would suggest specific changes to ACC’s structural implementation.” However, the National Party stated yesterday that the review “tells us nothing we don’t already know.” So I wonder whether it is finally admitting that it knew all along that Labour’s monopoly delivery of accident compensation is the best way to do it.
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
Yes. In regard to the employers’ account, which National briefly privatised, the report states: “these observations lead us to form a moderately strong view that a government monopoly is the best observable mechanism for implementing the ACC employers account.” In the face of this mounting evidence, how can National members claim that the report has taught them nothing new?
Pansy WongWhy is the Minister happy for the Accident Compensation Corporation, which is a monopoly organisation, to spend $1 million on that report, which states the corporation should remain a 24-hour, no-fault insurance scheme—something no one has proposed changing—and is this nothing more than the corporation conducting Government propaganda in an election year?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
Thank you for that. I am delighted to hear from the National Opposition that there is to be no change to accident compensation. I welcome that revelation. In answer to another part of the question, I did not commission this report.
Peter BrownWill the Minister confirm that she was satisfied with the New Zealand First - initiated physiotherapy review, which was conducted and reported on last year; if so, can she advise the House how the Accident Compensation Corporation is responding to the non-financial recommendations, and can she further advise whether the Minister of Finance will address the—[ Interruption] Settle down, fellows. Calm down; take a pill!
Madam SPEAKERHon MARYAN STREET Link to this
I would love to answer them all, but I take your injunction on board, Madam Speaker. The Government welcomed the approach from New Zealand First concerning the physiotherapy review, and I report to the House that the non-financial recommendations are already being worked through in partnership with the physiotherapists and the Accident Compensation Corporation.