8. Question No. 8—ACCJAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for ACCQuestion No. 8—ACC8. JAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for ACC: Does ACC take privacy seriously when it comes to sensitive claims?Hon JAN TINETTI (Minister of Internal Affairs) on behalf of the Minister for ACC: Yes.Jan Logie: Does the Minister believe it is appropriate for potentially dozens of staff across the organisation to be accessing sensitive claims repeatedly even years after a claim has been closed and without the claimant's specific consent?Hon JAN TINETTI: On behalf of the Minister as the Minister I can't comment on individual claims or complaints. But what I can say is that ACC only provides access to sensitive claims to staff who need it to perform their role. Staff accessing a sensitive claimant's file will include recovery partners who work with them to organise supports and services. Other staff may also access the file—for example where they need to make payments for services like counselling or transport. But each file is divided into compartments so contact information and payments are separate from sensitive material relating to a claimant's injury. I am assured that ACC wants sensitive claimants to feel confident their privacy is taken seriously and is exploring improvements to systems and processes with respect to access to information.Jan Logie: What is the Minister's response to the recent Public Service Association ACC staff survey which indicated some staff were uncomfortable with the amount of sensitive claims information they were accessing?Hon JAN TINETTI: I have sought and received assurance from ACC that only staff who require access to sensitive claims in order to carry out the functions of their role have access. I am assured that ACC wants sensitive claimants to feel confident their privacy is taken seriously and is exploring improvements to systems and processes with respect to access to information.Jan Logie: Is the Minister concerned sexual violence advocates are saying There is a widespread and systematic problem of ACC staff having inappropriate access to the files of sexual abuse survivors"?Hon JAN TINETTI: The Minister has sought assurance from ACC and I reiterate is assured that ACC wants sensitive claimants to feel confident their privacy is taken seriously and is exploring improvements to systems and processes with respect to access to information.Jan Logie: What steps are being taken to ensure staff who are subject to complaints of sexual harassment are not managing sensitive claims as was reported this week?Hon JAN TINETTI: As Minister it would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual employment matters. However all ACC employees are police-vetted before they are employed. Only staff who require access to sensitive claims in order to carry out the functions of their role have access.Jan Logie: Will the Minister direct ACC to work with the sexual violence sector to ensure their privacy practices protect survivors?Hon JAN TINETTI: I will reiterate that the Minister is assured that ACC wants sensitive claimants to feel confident their privacy is taken seriously and is exploring improvements to systems and processes with respect to access to information including those that have suffered through sexual violence."