ACC

ACC minister Judith Collins has told an employers group that ACC needs to rebuild public trust and had fallen short in protecting privacy after controversies and complaints about it.

If it surprises even some MPs that the Accident Compensation Corporation runs a claims process for "important" people, then it is just as well an inquiry by the Auditor-general into how ACC manages conflicts of interest has been announced.

Dunedin lawyer Peter Sara is urging ACC to "come clean" over the details of its controversial "VIP claims" handling policy but ACC says it will not comment until the Privacy Commissioner completes an inquiry in three months.

A Dunedin falls prevention programme run by Age Concern Otago is to lose vital ACC funding.

Dunedin ACC campaigner Dr Denise Powell has hailed the Auditor-general's decision to investigate controversial ACC-related issues not already in the spotlight as part of a separate inquiry by the Privacy Commissioner.

In the spotlight over confidentiality breaches and allegations of preferential treatment, ACC has come under renewed attack over suggestions its "VIP claims" handling policy delivers better protection for the privacy of powerful decision makers, including MPs, judges and ACC board members.

Bronwyn Pullar only spoke to John Key once about her insurance dispute, but acknowledges he was named in correspondence to her insurer as a "known figure'' who the company may have had to deal with over her massive claim.

Labour MPs Trevor Mallard and Andrew Little have refused to apologise to ACC Minister Judith Collins for alleged defamation regarding the ACC scandal.

Prime Minister Minister John Key was last night dragged into the widening ACC scandal and forced to deny a report he was part of a group of senior National Party figures who backed Bronwyn Pullar's bid for a $14 million insurance payout.

ACC Minister Judith Collins is planning legal action against two Labour Party politicians and a media outlet for alleged defamation.