Parliament tackles further ACC reforms

The Accident Compensation (Access Reporting and Other Matters) Amendment Bill has passed its first reading in parliament, according to the Minister for ACC Carmel Sepuloni.

The bill aims to improve injured New Zealanders’ access to ACC’s services, and it complements the recently passed Accident Compensation (Maternal Birth Injury and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2022. Some of the changes include new reporting requirements on access to ACC, earlier access to minimum rate of compensation, and refinements to ACC’s purpose, focusing on giving all eligible injured people access to the scheme.

“This package of amendments includes a duty for ACC to report annually on how Māori and other population groups are accessing its services, an amendment to the purpose of ACC that broadens it from claimants to all injured people, and bringing forward eligibility for the minimum rate of compensation from the sixth to the second week of incapacity,” Sepuloni said. “Bringing forward eligibility for the minimum rate will remove a financial hardship earlier in the recovery process, allowing people on low incomes to better focus on their rehabilitation.”

After passing the first reading, the bill will go to the Education and Workforce Committee for consultation and feedback.

“The committee made an incredibly valuable contribution to the Birth Injuries and Other Matters Act earlier this year,” Sepuloni said. “I’m looking forward to their contribution on this new legislation.”