Woo Woo , Riding The Crazy Train

"The insertion of fine, sterile, stainless steel needles into the body at carefully selected points which can be but is not limited to the following:

Relieves pain by treating stagnation of Qi and Blood in the affected areas and channels

Treats Qi block (shock)

Calms the Shen (mind-spirit)" - Accident Compensation Corporation

RANDOM BITS

We are lunching tomorrow at a fish place. Its pretty new and the chef has a hell of a reputation so it should be fun. Will report back .

Who is the press secretary who can do four lunches in two Fridays? We are in awe.

We reckon that St Johns serves the best steak in town.

Does anyone else feel pissed off that their ACC levies are subsidising bloody bikers?

Who would have though that HomePaddock would know more about sex than Cactus and Bustedblonde?

Isn't this the funniest blog you have ever seen?

FAMILIES COMMISSION NEEDS A SMACK

How silly is this... The only thing the
Families Commission does of note is run the successful White Ribbon anti Domestic Violence Awareness campaign.


Now they also back the Super Maori Fullas who are strong champions for anti violence. But who the hell thought that a government agency should stick out a press release highlighting the fact that the Super Maori Fullas were going to ride to Wellington to complain about a hike in ACC bike levies?


More bizzare behaviour from the feel good flossies at the Families Commission. DUH!

Bike Riders have busy November

Thursday, 22 October 2009, 5:56 pm
Press Release: White Ribbon

Bike Riders throughout New Zealand have confirmed that they will participate in two rides during a busy November.

Motorcyclists are preparing to converge on Parliament next month to express their concerns about the proposed increases to ACC levies and a week later, take part in the first National White Ribbon Ride being organised by the Families Commission, Super Maori Fullas and the Patriot Motorcycle Club.
Shane Henry, former soldier and Patriot Motorcycle Club member, says “many riders I’ve spoken to are looking forward to a busy November. It’s the traditional start of the riding season with the onset of better riding weather.”

“While we are all concerned at the proposed increase in ACC charges, we are committed to riding for the benefit of others by taking part in the White Ribbon Ride. Our members want to stand up and say that violence to women is not OK. This is a message that we are passionate about,” says Shane.

The Patriots are all former or serving members of the New Zealand Defence Forces. Shane Henry says, “ New Zealand is seen as a peacekeeping nation and our members have a background of serving their country. We now want to play a part in reducing violence in our own neck of the woods. That’s why we are supporting the White Ribbon Ride. I just want to say to all motorcycle riders, join us on the White Ribbon Ride and let us show the country that we can unite and support this great cause.”

The White Ribbon leaves from Westpac Stadium in Wellington following four routes up the North Island . The four rides will visit over 35 towns and cities across the North Island picking up riders on their way north. At many of the ‘meet and greet’ locations, events have been planned and the public will have the opportunity to meet the riders.

Men throughout New Zealand who wish to join the White Ribbon Ride should visit www.whiteribbon.org.nz to register.

Avid rider Mike King says, “I’m looking forward to taking my Harley Davidson on the White Ribbon Ride. It’s an opportunity for men to pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women, and this is one ride that I’m not going to miss.”

“As a comedian and performer I’ve always been lucky that I get paid to do things I enjoy, so work and fun are often combined. On the White Ribbon Ride I get to ride my Harley and stand up for something I believe in.”
“Growing up I was taught by my father never to hit girls and I have passed this message on to my son and my nephews. In our whanau there is a zero tolerance level for violence of any sort towards women!"

“I also have two lovely daughters and I want them and their potential boyfriends to know that violence against women is not OK. I’m proud to take part in this ride and look forward to meeting other men who are willing to stand up and be counted. Not that I will be standing while riding my bike. Would be a shame to see my ACC premiums rise!”

Statistics in New Zealand
• An average of 14 women a year are killed by their partners or ex partners.
• There are over 3500 convictions recorded against men each year for assaults on women.
• One in three women will experience partner violence at some point in their lives.

Update: spotted by the eagled eyed Hong Kong harridan - White Ribbon is also sponsored by ... yip ACC.

MAKE EM PAY

As we were discussing all manner of things at the rugby with all manner of people yesterday the inevitable topic of ACC came up. We expressed delight that ACT was pushing hard for workers comp to be open up to competition and surprise that no-one was tackling the big elephant in the room - the cost on initial doctors visits.

We worked on a plan to restructure ACC way back in 1992. The issues have not changed. And it was clear then if you wanted to arrest the costs you had to start with the initial visits and get people to stump up with the initial cost. It also acted as a disincentive to complain about minor crap.

So we are delighted that the Sunday Star Times has reveled that this is on the agenda. Its the most logical and cost effective way to harness the ballooning costs.

So here's the supposed hidden agenda ( although it looks like a briefing paper with a few recommendations and options)

The ACC's hidden agenda:

• Introduce a $100 excess on every claim.
• Reduce income compensation from 80% to 70% after one year and 60% after two.
• Impose a two-year limit on compensation for soft tissue injuries, such as back pain.
• Introduce wider surveillance powers for ACC investigators to stamp out fraud.
• Legislate to make it easier to get workers back to work.

We cant find fault with any of that.

NICK SHOTS HIMSELF IN FOOT - NO ACCIDENT

Bummer it looks like Nick is in a bit of schtuck over his comments over ACC suicide payments being a bit of an incentive for people to kill themselves. We reckon he is bloody right. We are in a recession and its logical that the idea you can top yourself and the state will provide for your kids and missus would be something you would think about. We are very staunch on the individuals right to top themselves whenever they want but there is no way that we think the state should pay.

Now the big problem for Smith is that he has two of the most significant and controversial pieces of legislation in ACC and Climate Change needing to be bedded in. And like the Rugby World Cup debacle it seems that the governments cross party relations are a little shaggy. They need to appoint someone and quick to manage the interparty relationships. We also understand that Smiths management of these issues is also starting to worry Key. As well it should.

ACC - PAYING THE PIPER

ACC entitlements are long overdue for a good prune. We had a bit of a donnybrook with Ma last night when she exclaimed that ACC was paying out entitlements to the dependents of those who had topped themselves. Not possible we scoffed.

However its true. ACC has become a defacto Social Welfare Department and we are paying dearly for it. Labours mis management has increased the liability to a point where it is no longer sustainable.

Its really a big maxed out credit card.

So we hope that the Nats do away with all the fluffy feel good add ons that Labour clipped to the scheme.

And if New Zealanders are angry that they will have to face bigger levies then the best way they can show their anger is not voting for Labour ever again. They are the ones who put the frilly stuff on the ACC credit card so that it ended up being maxed out.

So - no more stress payouts, no more suicide payouts.
Minor injuries should no longer be covered and the first Doctors visit should be paid by the patient.

And there should be a serious tightening up on the snake oil dispensing the lords of feel good , physios.

So we expect to see some seriously ballsy cuts to services. It has to be done and good on chair John Judge for having the balls to stand up and say enough is enough.

If they can arrest the blow out now then the scheme will be sustainable in the long run to ensure that those who need assistance get it.

RUMBLE WITH THE GRUMBLE

Well it appears that Grumble thinks he has a good plan for Busted Blonde to lose some weight. We don't get it. He has joined us up to PETA

Pamela Anderson fronts it from time to time , now we thought Grumble was promoting BB as the new front for PETA - we have the right assets.

But no, he reckons that we should be helping them with their PR after they tried to get Minister for Spider Bites

and Natures Flatulence, Nick Smith to support their cause by pleading with him to go vego.

Now we know that Nick Smith is no vego - he definitely does not like muttonbirds and we chewed his arse off one day and he definitely did not have a vege taste about him. So Peta was on to a loser from the start by asking Dr Smith to come to the aid of their banana loving rank and file.

Now Alf reckoned that eating veges and giving up meat would see us slim. Bollocks. We will trim the fat off our lamb chop and wriggle and giggle our way to Sweating with Socialists to get rid of the lard or our arse thank you very much.



And Alf had is wrong - we don't do PR. We are into Affairs - the more Public the better - Its says so on our card. PR is way too boring for us.

TODAY'S MUST READ

Rob Hosking of NBR has written an article that we think should be reprinted everywhere. He has done a Question and Answer of why ACC is a cluster fuck, who is to blame and what needs to be done.

Give that man a beer.

We would just add that we think New Zealanders need to harden up and stop being sooks and running off to the Doctors for every twinge and niggle and getting ACC to pay for it. And as for physios - don't start us.
They are Snake Oil merchants at worst Feel Goods at best.

Also what has been the cost of ACC's social marketing campaigns and what measurable difference have they made to the cost of the scheme?
Things like the falls campaign - did it reduce incidence and did it reduce cost?


UPDATE:
The ever wise and well placed MACDOCTOR has another great ACC post which echoes our sentiments - he has the figures.

Read it here

ACC SHAKEUP

This morning we are feeling very old - in 1992 -1993 ( thats nearly twenty years ago....) we were involved in a team that looked at carving up ACC. The team, made up of consultants and ACC staffers, pretty much concluded that a fair chunk of it could be sold off. We spent 8 months commuting to Wellington from Invercargill. Anyway the team was devastated to have all their finding chucked out by the CE a weird aussie twat who liked to fly planes - he was charged with fraud but got off.
We then spent the next few months introducing case management. We all believed there was an opportunity lost and a looming headache for successive governments. We reckoned that this day would come. Good on ya Bill and Nick. Make it better

DISHONEST POLITICS

It appears that the true deviousness and dishonesty of Labour politics has never been clearer than their decision to cover up the ACC blowout. As always Rob Hosking of NBR says it best.

Nothing else to say really, apart from the fact that Cullen is a devious wanker and that Treasury needs to get hard. Free and Frank guys, Free and Frank. You can never get sacked for being free and frank.

FRIDAY ROUNDUP

Sala Sala is an exceptional japanese restaurant in Christchurch. We went there with the Wanaka Fishermen. Lovely sashimi and all went well with a nice bottle of Church Road Pinot Gris. We had the most succulent lamb for main. We highly recommend it.

One of the new sensations in the foody scene is Southern Glory Oysters. grown in the beautiful waters of Paterson Inlet on Stewart Island. They are huge. While not yet in huge quantities the owners expect to be producing a million a year in three years time. They are pricey $5 an oyster but we think that they will become legend. We have it on good authority that Simon Gault of Euro and Nourish Group Fame is also impressed with the same company's fabulous mussels.


We were interested to see the public face of TVNZ as it scambled to cover its arse over the fact that it informed staff that the razor gang was in the green room. We led with the story with NBR second out of the gate and the Herald following soon after. Interestingly TVNZ'a own website has the story that closely resembles the info given to us by a staffer.

In a message to staff, CEO Rick Ellis says its budget reduction may involve job cuts but this will not be decided until after the executive team works with 50 senior staff to identify all options.

This will take place over the next few weeks.

Which contrasts to what NBR dragged out of them

"Over the next couple of weeks, 50 senior managers will be working with Rick and going over all the options. Leaving the staffing levels alone is a priority but we have to acknowledge that they may not be unavoidable."

And for those who hate / love the gossip...


Is Parekura sick of politics ? Is that why he is dusting off his CV?

Which SOE could be in for some carving up and selling off?

Have we heard the full story on ACC yet?

Is it true that Maryann Street and her gal pal Kathryn Street are known as the intersection?

ACC in the poop

We reckoned there was more to come with ACC and there is . Heads will roll by the end of February. The sad thing is all it will do is add to the expenses of the average family and business. Labour has left a few of these fiscal bombs for National to detonate.

ACC NEEDS LIPOSUCTION

Macdoctor knows his shit. He has done a wonderful analysis of one of the reasons why ACC is costing so much . Whale oil reckons we are a nation of sooks and need to harden up. Both are very right. Macdoctor reckons that ACC is treating a whole lot of stuff like sprained ankles that should not be treated. He is sooooo right.
And heres a starter for ten -
Do we need physiotherapists? Can we survive without them? Would people's injuries heal without their ministrations? Do they over treat? Are they just FeelGoods?
Yes to all the above.

Well way back in 1992( we did a bit of work then on the What ACC should really be providing) we reckoned that they were the closest thing to Snakeoil sellers we have in the medical system.

Its time that ACC was left to provide insurance for the big injuries and that NZ'ers get more responsible for the small stuff just like they do for non accident problems.

ACC SCANDAL SET TO DEEPEN

We have already blogged about how bad it is.

Whale Oil is predicting that the motor vehicle account will offer up some more nasty shocks.

The normally mild mannered McDoctor is also outraged.

Homepaddock is disgusted and points out the ODT isnt impressed either

And KiwiBlog summarises whats happened so far.

There appears to be a real possibility of increased ACC levies wiping out any tax cuts.

As we have said - BB has been involved in looking at privatising ACC before - Bring back Melissa Clark Reynolds we say.

THIS IS GOING TO HAVE THE BIGGEST EFFECT ON SMALL BUSINESS

So the govt hid a lot more liability than first thought. That is outrageous.

Thursday, 4 December 2008, 3:49 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Government

Hon Dr Nick Smith ACC Minister

04 December 2008

Big blow-out in another ACC account

Officials are recommending an increase in earners levies of $1.337 billion over the next three years to cover significant increased costs of the ACC Earners' Account that funds non-work accidents involving employees.

"Department of Labour officials have advised the Government to increase the current ACC Earners Levy of $1.40 per $100 of earnings to $2.00 in 2009/10, $2.10 in 2010/11 and $2.20 in 2011/12 to cover the increased costs of the Earners' Account.

"The cost increases identified by officials is being blamed on increases in the number of claims, lesser rates of rehabilitation resulting in increased duration of costs, increased medical and treatment costs, expansion of the schemes entitlements, and increases in treatment injury cover.

"This $1.337 billion is additional to the $1.253 billion required for the Non-Earners Account. The key differences are that the Earners' Account is paid for by employee levies rather than the Government from general taxation, and the account does not require a cash injection in the current financial year.

"These are very significant cost increases for workers. A person on the average wage of $47,000 per year would pay an additional $282 in the next tax year or $5.40 per week, $329 in 10/11 or $6.33 per week, and $376 in 11/12 or $7.23 per week.

"The new Government is very concerned about the scale of these recommended increases.

"I certainly do not wish to impose these sorts of increased costs on households, but also must take a prudent approach to ensuring ACC's ongoing viability.

"The immediate decision the Government needs to take by Christmas is the levy rate for 2009/10 and I am continuing to work with officials on how these cost increases might be constrained.

"I am also seeking further information on the motor vehicle account which is also facing significant cost increases. The decision on motor vehicle levies does not need to be made until March and there are legislative options of extending the full funding date beyond 2014 to alleviate these increases.

"The new Government is committed to a full stock-take of all the components of the ACC scheme."

Dr Smith has also released ACC's Briefing to the Incoming Minister. It can be viewed at:

Briefing

"I am concerned that ACC's briefing does not adequately address the major issues of the very significant cost increases. A change in culture is required at ACC so it is better placed to appreciate the impacts of cost shocks on families and businesses."

ENDS

This has a big effect on wee businesses like us that operate as company. We often pay as an employer and as employees.

It sucks and we never seems to get anything out of it except big envelopes stuffed with bumpf.

We are with Nick on this one. ACC get real.

whale oils has this take

and Kiwiblog says this

and no minister says while we should be worried about ACC the motherlick has gone sour as well

ACC SICK NEEDS REMOVAL OF LIMBS

This is absolutely shocking - just in from PM John Key.

The previous Labour government underfunded ACC to the tune of about $1 billion over the next three years, Prime Minister John Key has revealed.

“This is a significant and serious hole in the Government accounts, so today I am signalling the Government’s intention to conduct a Ministerial Inquiry to determine how this happened, and why the information was not included in the pre-election opening of the books.”

Mr Key says the terms for the Ministerial Inquiry will be firmed up over the coming days.

“But my top priority is to offer an assurance to those who rely on ACC that their services will be maintained, despite warnings that the Non-Earners Account will run out of money by March.

The National-led Government has been told by officials that ACC is seeking $297 million in extra funding for the Non Earners’ Account in the 2007/08 year and a similar increase for out years.

“The previous Government knew of the seriousness of the situation, but did not disclose this information prior to the election.

“Officials have told the Government that they became aware of the serious funding issues in the Non-Earner account as early as May, and previous Ministers were also made aware of the problem. However, the funding shortfall was not mentioned in the pre-election opening of the books.

“There are serious questions to be answered about this very large ticking time-bomb. In light of this, I have determined that a Ministerial Inquiry needs to run alongside any internal ACC review.”

Mr Key says the Government signalled in the election campaign that ACC would be subject to a full review, so the shape of the accounts can be properly and publicly assessed.

The National Government was elected on a platform that includes, a full stock-take of the various components of the ACC scheme, an evaluation of progress to full funding, identifying areas of cross-subsidy or cost-shifting and underfunding of newly-legislated entitlements.

The Government has sought further information from ACC, and expects to have another paper in front of Cabinet before Christmas.

National supports a comprehensive, 24/7, no-fault accident insurance scheme that delivers certainty of coverage for all New Zealanders.

We were involved in a 6 month process looking at how to sort out ACC so it better delivered to New Zealanders nearly two decades ago. Its a no brainer and this offers the government a real chance to develop an enduring solution for the future.

Hat tip: Whale Oil