Wong Pansy: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Wong Pansy: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:649;Page:17852] 
10.  
PANSY WONG (National) 
 to the  
Minister for ACC 
: Does she have confidence that the Accident Compensation Corporation is responsible with taxpayers’ money? 
Hon MARYAN STREET (Minister for ACC) 
: 
 I am a lot more confident about that than I would be about National’s accident compensation plan which would cost New Zealand taxpayers a whole lot more as evidenced by the PricewaterhouseCoopers report and the leaked Merrill Lynch briefing than the present scheme costs. 
Pansy Wong 
: How does giving staff $250 each per year to spend through the activa card on activities like manicures and day spas promote a more active lifestyle and keep staff fit and well for work? 
Hon MARYAN STREET 
: I presume it is a case of the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) practising what it preaches in that it is trying to prevent injury. I commend it for that. It is in fact an operational matter that is under the jurisdiction of the chief executive officer. But I suppose it is good to hear the National Party spokeswoman on accident compensation actually saying something about the portfolio at least once every 6 months given that she was not able to—or not allowed to—say anything about National’s policy when it was released. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: That was unnecessary. 
H V Ross Robertson 
: Can the Minister tell the House whether she has seen any conflicting reports on plans for the ACC? 
Hon MARYAN STREET 
: I have seen a report from John Key saying that National might privatise the earners and motor vehicle accounts and a report from Murray McCully soon afterwards saying National Party policy “doesn’t go there”. It is obvious that National will privatise those accounts eventually following a discussion document process. But Mr Key forgot that he was not supposed to talk about privatising those accounts. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I remind Ministers that they can comment on what is in reports but not on other parties’ policies. 
Pansy Wong 
: Does the Minister believe that the active and healthy lifestyle of ACC staff is promoted by spending $250 for each person per year on animal care including pet grooming? 
Hon MARYAN STREET 
: I have no idea what that has to do with the health and safety of ACC staff but I am happy to look into that for the member. 
Pansy Wong 
: Can the Minister assure the House that ACC staff are not spending $750000 worth of taxpayers’ money on Botox facelifts and other cosmetic treatments that are services provided for through the activa cards or does she think that this is an acceptable use of ACC funds? 
Hon MARYAN STREET 
: In respect of the first part of the question I think I can assure the House of that. But I will check that with the chair of the board given the member’s obvious concern about the expenditure of ACC money. 
Pansy Wong 
: I seek leave to table the list of service providers under the activa card for appearance medicines. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? Yes there is objection. 
Pansy Wong 
: I seek leave to table the list of service providers through the ACC activa card under animal care. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? Yes there is objection. Would members please indicate their objection loudly. 
Pansy Wong 
: I seek the leave of the House to table the list of service providers through the ACC activa card under hair and beauty. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? Yes there is objection. 
Peter Brown 
: Will the Minister confirm that physiotherapists play a very significant role in the rehabilitation of accident victims and that taxpayers’ money spent on them is well spent; if she can confirm that what will she and the ACC do to address the financial predicament that largely embraces physiotherapists? 
Hon MARYAN STREET 
: I can confirm the worth value and contribution of physiotherapists to the ongoing rehabilitation of injured New Zealanders. I am currently addressing with physiotherapists the issue of their remuneration.