Wellington, July 16 NZPA - A task force calling for extreme cuts to government spending has spent its whole three-year budget to pay its chairman, former National leader Don Brash, in one year.

Wellington, July 15 NZPA - Rewarding businesses with good safety records by giving them ACC levy discounts could lead to some of them covering up workplace accidents, unions and the Labour Party say.

Wellington, July 14 NZPA - Discounts on ACC levies for businesses with good safety records will encourage some employers to cover up workplace accidents, opponents say.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, June 24 NZPA - ACC is looking at moving some new claims to private providers, it confirmed this morning.

Wellington, June 24 NZPA - ACC is looking at moving some new claims to private providers, it was revealed today. The corporation is already trialing private provision for people who have been on ACC for a long time but is now looking at new claimants too a staff newsletter said.

Wellington, June 24 NZPA - Labour leader Phil Goff today outlined his party's monetary policy, saying it would require the Reserve Bank to pursue broader objectives while retaining its independence and focus on inflation.

Wellington, June 15 NZPA - Labour reshuffle: The good: Charles Chauvel -- moves to the front bench and picks up environment, drops energy Said he was "very pleased" but declined to comment further.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, June 15 NZPA - Labour MP Chris Carter's apology this afternoon -- after a sharp reprimand from leader Phil Goff for how he talked to news media -- has saved him from further demotion within the party.

By Chris Ormond of NZPA Wellington, June 15 NZPA - Credit card misuse has sparked a significant reshuffle within the Labour Party, including promotion to the front bench of Charles Chauvel and Nanaia Mahuta, while the main offenders are left to work their way back into favour.

Wellington, June 15 NZPA - Labour reshuffle: The good: Charles Chauvel -- moves to the front bench and picks up environment, drops energy Said he was "very pleased" but declined to comment further.