3. Question No. 3—ACCANGELA ROBERTS (Labour) to the Minister for ACCQuestion No. 3—ACC3. ANGELA ROBERTS (Labour) to the Minister for ACC: Talofa Mr Speaker. What changes has she announced to ACC? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for ACC): Yesterday we passed the maternal birth injury and other matters bill. This means that from 1 October 2022 approximately 28000 mothers non-binary transgender and other gender-diverse people will be able to benefit from ACC cover if they experience injuries during childbirth. I'd like to thank the select committee members from all political parties officials stakeholders providers health professionals parents and everyone who submitted on the bill and who have been part of the process. You have all made a difference. Angela Roberts: What does this change to ACC mean for birthing parents? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Prior to this change childbirth was not covered in legislation because it did not meet the Act's definition of an accident". That's why we've taken steps to ensure birth injuries are covered making changes to the legislation and including a list of covered injuries. Including cover for these injuries will mean birthing parents can access existing support and treatment available through the accident compensation scheme including support for mental injuries that are caused by physical injuries. Angela Roberts: Why is this important? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: This is an incredibly important change and represents a significant step towards improving gender balance fairness and equity in the ACC scheme. Research I commissioned provided a clear evidence base highlighting disparities within the scheme. Women make fewer claims to ACC than men have fewer injuries covered by the accident compensation scheme than men and each woman's claim costs the scheme a third less than a man's on average in entitlements. When reconciling the evidence with the rationale for covering birth injuries it became clear that these injuries—some of which can be incredibly severe—should be covered by ACC. More than 70 percent of people giving birth in Aotearoa New Zealand may experience an injury during labour or birth and from 1 October 2022 this new ACC cover will benefit an estimated 28000 birthing parents. Angela Roberts: What steps did she take to ensure this change became law?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: In March last year I read an RNZ article about the growing number of women experiencing injuries when giving birth and their struggle for treatment. It was a distressing read. The policy work began in June 2021 Cabinet signed off on it in August 2021 and on this day one year ago I announced that we would introduce legislation. Hon Member: Well done. Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The passing of this bill last night marks a significant milestone in ACC history—Chris Bishop: Oh announcing something—"Oh well done." she says. Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: —and signals positive progress and change for ACC's future and I'm unsure why Chris Bishop is interjecting in that way when they supported this bill. Angela Roberts: What other changes were announced? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The bill also includes 12 other policy and technical changes which provide more support to injured New Zealanders more clarity of what ACC covers and equitable cover for claimants. Some of these changes respond to our commitment to roll back Nick Smith's 2010 ACC changes. One of these changes includes bringing back the claimant-friendly version of the three-step test which is used to assess claims for work-related gradual process injuries. This would shift the burden of proof from workers such as firefighters and sawmill staff who might suffer from those injuries back to ACC which will be required to prove their injuries are not work-related. I'm really pleased with what this bill will achieve. There is always more work to do but we are certainly on the right track."