16 Nov 2012

Extension to trans-Tasman criminal checks

5:05 am on 16 November 2012

A trial to give employers in New Zealand access to police information in Queensland about potential workers will be extended for another six months.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the scheme has been successful and gives employers confidence in making decisions about hiring people.

She says there are a number of ways the scheme could be expanded in the future.

The trial is part of a wider programme of work on information sharing with Australia.

But one of the agencies involved, the Teachers Council, says the scheme has had little impact on its vetting practices and a bigger difference could be made if information was shared electronically to speed up the checking process.