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If you have had the misfortune to have been injured in an accident, you will be interested in the release last week of the Code of ACC Claimants' Rights. This code enshrines the rights of ACC claimants and spells out ACC's commitment to high standards of service and fairness in eight rights for claimants, including the right to be treated with dignity and respect, to be treated fairly and have their views considered, and to be fully informed.
I have had numerous visits from constituents who have been frustrated by their dealings with ACC. These rights are designed to meet claimants' reasonable expectations every time they contact ACC, whether by phone, letter or face-to-face. Each right is accompanied by specific obligations on ACC to ensure the rights are met.
This code has been designed to restore confidence in ACC, which was weakened during the 1990s when the National Government slashed levies, removed lump sum payments and limited rehabilitation. The spirit of the code is as important as the specific obligations. It recognises that a positive relationship between claimants and ACC staff, built on mutual respect, is essential if ACC is to achieve its primary focus of helping injured people to make the best possible recovery and receive fair compensation.
The code, which comes into effect in February 2003, is in addition to all existing claimants' rights and covers the way ACC delivered services. It is important for claimants to realise that the code is about your relationship with ACC. It does not cover decisions about entitlements, compensation, or treatment for their injury, which will continue to be dealt with under the provisions of the Injury Prevention Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2001.
And just a note about new rules around tax refunds. The Government is raising the $50 threshold under which salary and wage earners who are due an income tax refund will automatically receive it after 30 days if they have been issued a personal tax summary by Inland Revenue. For refunds over $50 they need to contact Inland Revenue to confirm that the refund is owing to them. Cabinet has agreed to raise the automatic refund threshold to $200, which means that an estimated 128,000 people will find it easier and simpler to gain access to their income tax refunds. People who receive a personal tax summary will no longer have to contact Inland Revenue to confirm their refund if it is $200 or less, which will save them time and effort.
Something a bit more close to home and of personal interest to me, I would like to thank everyone in Wairarapa who have got behind myself, Mayors Bob Francis, John Read and Martin Tankersley and other members of the community and the antiviolence campaign Rise Above It.
I think the campaign is having a significant effect and that our community is committed to making the Wairarapa a safe place for our children and for us all. I got the chance to see how the campaign was being introduced to our youngsters when I visited Fernridge School in September and saw their anti-bullying programme in action.
If we just keep on supporting Rise Above It in whatever way we can, I truly believe it will make a huge difference.
Over the last year more than $400,000 has been invested in community organisations who work with children and families in the Wairarapa. This leads us closer to our goal to seeing a strong network of community services supporting families to raise their children in safe, environments.
I was very pleased with sentence given to child-murderer Bruce Howse last week.
It is one of the toughest, if not the toughest, handed down so far under the new parole and sentencing laws and hope brings some form of closure to Charlene Aplin and family. I also hope the family is now given the dignity of privacy so they can look towards the future. My Christmas blessings to all of them.
As chair of the parliamentary Social Services Select Committee I am privileged to be able to play a significant role in keeping our communities safe and healthy. And I feel honoured that you have re-elected me with a doubled majority, so I can continue to put my energies into making a difference. My success in the polls would not have happened without my fabulous team of workers whom many of you will be familiar with. Sheryll in Dannevirke and Jo in Masterton work tirelessly to make sure that constituents can always be in touch with me, and my executive secretary Karen is my parliamentary lifeline.
My thanks also to my former electorate agent Joy Robinson for all her hard work leading into the election.
A short note that my offices are now closed until January 22 so my staff can take their annual break, but the phones will be checked so for urgent attention only please call my Masterton office or 0800 2 BEYER (0800 2 23937) and leave a message.
Also my Masterton office has now moved to 80 Queen Street, to allow for the expansion of Mitre 10.
This is my last column for the year. I hope your Christmas break is a time of counting your blessings, treasuring your whanau and taking some relaxation for yourself. Be safe till next year.
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