Displaying 1 - 24 of 47 results.

ACC Minister Judith Collins today announced reductions to motor vehicle levies in 2015/16 meaning the average New Zealand vehicle owner will be $135 better off each year.

“Earlier this year the Government signalled our intention to reduce ACC levies as part of Budget 2014 – today’s announcement delivers on this,” Ms Collins says.

“ACC continues to improve its financial situation, transforming the way it supports injured New Zealanders and building on its investment returns.”

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

ACC Minister Judith Collins today announced an addition to the Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill that would extend ACC sensitive claims cover to children or young people who are victims of sexual grooming or indecent communications.

“There is a gap in the current ACC law that needs addressing to establish cover for victims of these types of child sexual exploitation,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice
  • ACC

ACC Minister Judith Collins is welcoming ACC’s new Mates & Dates school-based pilot programme promoting healthy relationships to help prevent sexual and dating violence.

Mates & Dates will be piloted in nine secondary schools throughout the country in Term 3 and will see up to 2000 students taught positive relationship skills by specialist local facilitators over five weeks.­­­

“This Government is committed to preventing sexual violence and the physical, mental and social harm it causes,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

ACC Minister Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Anita Mazzoleni to the ACC Board, replacing John Meehan. 

Ms Mazzoleni is an Auckland-based director with a background in corporate finance roles.  She has had Crown governance experience through positions on the Civil Aviation Authority, Commerce Commission and Industrial Research Ltd.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

Hearing aid clients can look forward to more choice from today as improvements to hearing loss regulations come into effect, ACC Minister Judith Collins says.

The improvements, announced earlier this year, include increasing ACC’s contributions to the cost of hearing loss treatment, increasing choice for clients, and encouraging greater competition in the hearing aid market.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

Budget 2014 indicates the Accident Compensation Corporation is on track to provide further levy cuts for New Zealanders of around $480 million in 2015/16, following more pleasing results over the past year, ACC Minister Judith Collins says.

“The Government will make its final decision after ACC’s public consultation, but we anticipate the bulk of these cuts will be for motor vehicle levies, along with the possibility of a levy reduction for employers and the self-employed.”

  • Judith Collins
  • Budget 2014
  • ACC

ACC Minister Judith Collins says substantial levy cuts for employers and workers take effect tomorrow as a result of the Scheme’s excellent performance over the last few years.

“Tomorrow marks the fortieth birthday of the Accident Compensation scheme and it’s great that New Zealanders will be celebrating by keeping more money in their pockets,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

ACC is expected to double its spending on treatment for people with work or injury related hearing loss and ACC Minister Judith Collins says this has been supported by improved collaboration between ACC and the hearing sector.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

ACC Minister Judith Collins has today announced a new school-based pilot project funded by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) as part of its new focus on preventing sexual violence.

“Sexual violence has a significant effect on victims and families, resulting in substantial physical and mental health issues as well as social problems like poverty, addiction and suicide,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

ACC Minister Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council (MSAC) members and says this comes at a time when ACC is boosting its focus on injury prevention across the board.

The MSAC acts as a voice for motorcyclists by advising ACC how to invest funds collected through the Motorcycle Safety Levy paid by motorcyclists in the relicensing process.

“I’m pleased to announce the appointment of new Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council members Janice Millman, Andrew Darrell and David Golightly,” says Ms Collins.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

The Accident Compensation Corporation will significantly improve access to treatment for clients with hearing loss, ACC Minister Judith Collins announced today.

“We’re addressing cost barriers as well as improving competition in the market to ensure clients with hearing loss have better access to the help they are entitled to,” says Ms Collins.

The changes, which will take effect from 1 July 2014, include increasing choice for clients, allowing multiple repairs to each hearing aid and increasing ACC contributions to the cost of the device.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

ACC Minister Judith Collins is encouraging all New Zealanders to take extra care during the holiday season, at home and on the water.

Between December 25 and January 2, ACC received around 36,500 Christmas-related injury claims, costing levy payers around $24 million to date.

“Seemingly harmless activities such as setting up and taking down Christmas trees and lights can prove risky. Small things such as following the three-points-of-contact rule when using a ladder can help reduce the risk,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

ACC Minister Judith Collins says a new Safety Star Rating Scheme (SSRS) is a good opportunity for ACC to encourage better practices with a tangible measure of progress.

“If you’re a top performing business, you’ll be recognised for it – and your customers will know about it too,” says Ms Collins.

ACC and WorkSafe New Zealand are working with businesses and workers’ representatives to develop a voluntary scheme that rates businesses’ workplace safety to improve long-lasting safety culture.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

Workers and employers will pay $387 million less in ACC levies in 2014/15, ACC Minister Judith Collins announced today.

“This Government is committed to the long-term sustainability of the ACC scheme so that it is working for the benefit of both levy payers and claimants,” Ms Collins says.

“Workers and employers will be paying less thanks to the Corporation’s astute financial management, outstanding investment performance and dedication to effective rehabilitation.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

ACC Minister Judith Collins is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Gregor Coster to the ACC Board.

“Professor Coster’s extensive experience in the health sector will complement the wide mix of skills already present in the ACC Board,” says Ms Collins.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

ACC Minister Judith Collins congratulates the winners of this year’s Workplace Wellbeing Awards and says they are leading a positive culture change in workplaces across New Zealand.

“It was a privilege to present the New Zealand Workplace Wellbeing Awards last night in recognition of employers’ dedication to promoting and improving workplace wellbeing,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

ACC Minister Judith Collins is welcoming the start of ACC’s Safety Week today to help raise awareness of safety risks and promote safer practices.

Ms Collins says this year’s Safety Week forms part of a wider rejuvenation of ACC’s injury prevention strategy.

“I’ve encouraged the corporation to put a greater, more evidence based focus on injury prevention because I know it has the capability to be more than just an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

ACC Minister Judith Collins says ACC’s commitment to client rehabilitation and sound investment has allowed the Corporation to make excellent progress, as shown in ACC’s 2013 annual report.

“ACC’s primary role is to reduce injuries and to help the injured return to independence. The Corporation’s latest annual report shows ACC is making strong progress against its key objectives,” Ms Collins says.

The Corporation has achieved a $4.9 billion surplus for the 2012/2013 financial year – $3.6 billion ahead of budget.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

ACC Minister Judith Collins says that ACC has a commitment to injury prevention that is both effective and cost efficient.

“The Council of Trade Unions’ (CTU) published annual accounts show the CTU has been paid up to $1.3 million (highest year was 2009) each year by ACC. In 2012 the total paid to CTU under three contracts was $669,000,” Ms Collins says.

“In the biggest contract shown in CTU accounts, ACC pays the CTU to provide training to health and safety representatives that large employers (over 30 staff) are legally obliged to have.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

ACC Minister Judith Collins is welcoming the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council’s plans for several projects over the coming months to reduce the injury rate of motorcyclists.

Ms Collins met with Chair of the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council Mark Gilbert recently to discuss the Council’s upcoming projects.

“I’m pleased the Council will commence several large scale projects over the next 18 months to benefit motorcycle owners,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

ACC Minister Judith Collins is welcoming the announcement that the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) is looking into dropping its average levy rates.

Today ACC starts its public consultation on levy rates for levies in the upcoming 2014/15 year.

Earlier this year, Ms Collins signalled $300 million worth of levy cuts for taxpayers for 2014/15. 

“These levy cuts reflect positive gains made by the corporation across all its activities,” Ms Collins says. 

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

Government Ministers have today signed the Canterbury Rebuild Safety Charter to help keep workers on the rebuild safe.

The Safety Charter, developed by the Canterbury Rebuild Senior Leaders’ Group, has been signed and endorsed by 50 construction, insurance, central and local government leaders.

“Rebuilding Canterbury on time, on budget and safely is a priority for the Government. The Safety Charter is a unique document, bringing industry and government together to make this happen,” says Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Judith Collins
  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Labour
  • ACC
  • Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

ACC Minister Judith Collins has announced Mr Mark Gilbert as Chair of the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council (MSAC).

The MSAC advises ACC, on behalf of motorcyclists, how to invest funds collected through the Motorcycle Safety Levy, paid as part of the motorcycle relicensing process.

“I congratulate Mr Gilbert on his appointment. Mr Gilbert is a passionate motorcyclist, is well respected within the motorcycling industry and has an extensive understanding of manufacturing and distribution of motorcycles in New Zealand,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

Continuing improvements in ACC provide an opportunity for significant levy reductions to benefit businesses and households, ACC Minister Judith Collins says.

“The Government is confident that a decrease in ACC levies is sustainable and is allowing for a reduction of around $300 million for 2014/15, increasing to a reduction of around $1 billion in 2015/16,” Ms Collins says.

This follows a $630 million reduction in levies for households and businesses in 2012/13.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC
  • Budget 2013