12. CHRIS HIPKINS (Labour—Rimutaka) Link to this
to the Minister for ACC
What recent reports, if any, has he seen on the role that returning to work can play in accident rehabilitation?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for ACC) Link to this
The recent reports I have received show marked improvements in ACC’s rehabilitation rates. These deteriorated every year from 2000 to a low in 2009 of 90.6 percent, but they have improved each year under this Government and are back up to 93.6 percent. Noting that a single 1 percent improvement results in an improvement of $500 million in ACC liabilities reinforces how important returning to work is in the effective management of ACC.
Does he believe that Government employers should lead by example when it comes to providing opportunities for injured employees to return to work, such as providing opportunities for injured employees to return to light duties; if so, why?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
Each individual Government agency decides on its own response. A large number of Government employers are part of the Accredited Employers Programme and have shown quite stunning rehabilitation rate improvements and also lower accident rates. I will give just one example. New Zealand Post’s injury rate has fallen by 24 percent, and the degree to which it is bringing back workers at an early stage by having them on limited duties is resulting in it making very considerable savings.
Mr SPEAKERBefore I call the honourable member for a point of order, I say to members in the House that question No. 12 is just as important as any other question, yet the number of conversations going on around the House means that it is very difficult to hear answers. A point of order has been called by Chris Hipkins.
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. That was very interesting information from the Minister. I wonder whether he could now turn his attention to answering the question I asked, which was whether Government employers should lead by example in this matter.
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
It was a very broad question, covering any number of Government agencies. I simply said it is up to each Government agency to choose its own approach, albeit a large number of agencies are in the Accredited Employers Programme. I gave a specific example in respect of New Zealand Post.
I must say, I thought that, in fact, it was the answer to the primary question that the member may have expressed some concern about, rather than that to the first supplementary question. But the Minister is aware that there is concern about whether questions are being answered. I invite Chris Hipkins to continue, but I ask for the answers to be more specifically related to the question.
Is it consistent with Government policy for the Fire Service to insist that injured employees who are otherwise able to return to light duties use up all of their accrued sick leave and then be placed on unpaid leave, rather than return to work; if so, why?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
I would want to follow that up with the New Zealand Fire Service, because claims I have heard previously about that particular employer have varied from what actually occurred. I note that since the New Zealand Fire Service has been part of the Accredited Employers Programme, we have seen a 21 percent reduction in the number of injuries—
Hon Tony RyallHon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
—a 21 percent reduction in the number of injuries—and we have also seen a 26 percent drop in the number of lost-time claims. I think all members of this House who care about injuries to our firefighters would be pleased with those excellent results.
Why should firefighters who have been injured, possibly in the course of their duties, be forced to take unpaid leave rather than return to work when their ACC compensation has ceased, and how is that consistent with his Government’s commitment to preserve the 24/7 comprehensive nature of accident compensation cover?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
The New Zealand Fire Service is part of the Accredited Employers Programme. Its entry to the Accredited Employers Programme was approved by the previous Government. It was approved by the previous Government. The Accredited Employers Programme sets down the very specific conditions that an employer must meet. If the member has information that the New Zealand Fire Service is not meeting its obligations under the Accredited Employers Programme, which Labour approved, I would be happy to look into it. I am not aware of this specific example.