The New Zealand government has proposed several changes to the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).

“Our government remains committed to undertaking work to return ACC to its original purpose of assisting all New Zealanders who have had an injury,” Minister for ACC Carmel Sepuloni said. “That’s why we’re taking an evidence-based approach to updating the list of illnesses caused through workplace exposure to harmful environments.”

The changes include the introduction of a framework for regular review of Schedule 2 of the Accident Compensation Act 2001. Schedule 2 is a list of occupational diseases for which ACC can provide cover and is part of the work-related gradual process, disease, or infection cover provided by ACC.

According to Sepuloni, the ACC’s understanding of occupational diseases must stay current with modern medical and epidemiological evidence, which will improve access to the Accident Compensation (AC) Scheme for those who need it.

“I am also focused on improving gender equity in the AC Scheme,” Sepuloni said. “As part of that, a regular review framework, which would take gender into account, could improve our understanding of how occupational diseases impact different population groups in Aotearoa New Zealand. By addressing these gaps in our understanding, a review could be used to improve awareness and preventative action against how occupational diseases impact men as well as women.”