Opinion
Friday, 21 October 2011 14:46
Rethinking future of ACC system
Maryan Street says: ACC is not an insurance scheme. It is a comprehensive compensation scheme designed to assist injured workers to pay their bills during their recovery so they can get back to work as soon as possible. That compensation extends to those people around workers, such as their families and those not earning, including children, the elderly and beneficiaries.Its comprehensive nature means it covers injuries incurred at work, at home or at play. It…
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Opinion
Thursday, 20 October 2011 10:09
Opening ACC to competition entails risks
Whether workplace injury insurance should be opened up to private sector competition is one of the issues that divides the main parties in next month's election.ACC's annual report for the year to June 30, 2011, released last week, shows that the previous year's dramatic turnaround in its financial performance was not a flash in the pan.Whether that means it is in good enough shape to withstand competition, or that it is a case of if…
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Opinion
Monday, 17 October 2011 07:22
Bad news, good news
Two important announcements by the Government last week were overshadowed by the environmental disaster unfolding in the Bay of Plenty.Nevertheless, the effects of the two changes, announced by Finance Minister Bill English and ACC Minister Nick Smith, are important for New Zealanders, particularly their longer term consequences - which will be intergenerational.Mr English trebled the Earthquake Commission levy that insured homeowners will pay from February 1 next year.
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Opinion
Friday, 14 October 2011 18:17
Landslide would strengthen hand in opening ACC to competition
The Government may now be in a position to move towards one of its stated goals, with the fall in ACC levies announced this week.Levies for workers and bosses will be cut from next April, saving the average wage earner about $170 a year.The average work account levy paid by employers and the self-employed will fall from $1.47 per $100 of income to $1.15. That will save a small business employing seven people on $50,000…
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Opinion
Sunday, 24 July 2011 08:54
Government has questions to answer on privatising ACC
The Government has justified changes to ACC by arguing the scheme was in crisis. There was never a crisis requiring the harsh cuts in entitlements and claim approvals that the Government has introduced. And the changes are not responsible for the improvement in ACC's books that has allowed for levy cuts.The main reasons for ACC's improved results are better profits and a higher valuation of its large investment fund as world markets rise after the…
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Opinion
Tuesday, 05 July 2011 08:05
ACC's image still tarnished despite review
Six months ago, the Herald received extraordinary public feedback when it published a series of articles on the stricter enforcement of the Accident Compensation Corporation's policy of declining to pay for surgery for "pre-existing conditions".More than 400 people complained about their ACC cases. It quickly became apparent that to save money, the corporation was seizing on age-related degeneration of claimants' bodies to unjustifiably reject their claims for surgery after an injury. As much was highlighted…
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Opinion
Monday, 28 March 2011 10:04
Unfair changes come at bad time for many workers
This Friday is April 1 and apart from any deceptions and practical jokes that occur on the day, there are major changes in employment law coming into effect. These are difficult times. And tough times cannot always be avoided. We know this from the terrible impact of the earthquakes in Canterbury. But these law changes are unnecessary, and unfair. That makes things worse for workers when times are already tough. The view I…
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Opinion
Thursday, 10 March 2011 06:57
Two strokes and you're out
Scooter riders - those annoying commuters who buzz past your car, snarled in early-morning traffic, or sneak to the front of the queue at the lights on their pesky little machines - claim they're being picked on. By the Government's clobbering machine. And by you, the car driver.Let's be clear about who and what we mean. While they're most often called scooters, these powered pushbikes legally are "mopeds". The engine is under 50cc (technically, "power…
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Opinion
Thursday, 24 February 2011 08:02
Progress Report – Through the Looking Glass
When I wrote the last “Off the Couch” I was optimistic. We had just received a very supportive and clear Independent Review and it seemed unthinkable that ACC could do anything but simply follow the recommendations, and implement it’s suggestions.I’m not stupid, but I now realise I have been very naive.So what has changed? Nothing, really. Sorry to report, but other than the sixteen sessions, which was implemented prior to the review being released, nothing…
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Opinion
Thursday, 17 February 2011 09:18
Bumper returns rescue books at ACC
Credit where it is due.Over the past year or two there has been a remarkable turnaround in the finances of ACC.For the year to June 2010 it reported a surplus of $2.5 billion, in stark contrast to the $4.8 billion deficit the previous year, when it recognised a blowout in its future liabilities. It is targeting a surplus of $1.2 billion in the current year.Last year's surplus shrank ACC's unfunded liabilities by a fifth, to…
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Opinion
