Judge out, Rebstock in at ACC board

UPDATE: ACC Minister Judith Collins would only give a qualified endorsement of outgoing board chairman John Judge in the House today. 

Asked whether she had confidence in Mr Judge, Mrs Collins she had "full trust and confidence" in his handling of the ACC Corporation's financial affairs. 

"I however reserve judgement on the privacy issues until after the Privacy Commissioner and Auditor General reports are available," she said, responding to questions from Green MP Kevin Hague.

Asked whether she was concerned about the lack of security of ACC's systems, which allow almost any ACC staffer to access personal medical files of any ACC claimant, including sensitive claims around sexual abuse, Mrs Collins gave a terse "yes" and sat down. 

ACC board chairman John Judge – regarded by many as de facto CEO of the embattled corporation – is stepping down.

Mr Judge was appointed by then-minister Nick Smith in March 2009 and his term actually expired in March this year.

However, it was only today that ACC Minister Judith Collins announced Mr Judge was moving on.

The former Ernst and Young chief executive is to take over as chair of ANZ Bank in 11 days but will stay on at ACC until the end of the month “to complete the financial year at ACC”, Mrs Collins said.

Mr Judge also headed the government’s “stocktake” of ACC and was widely seen as a particularly “hands-on” chairman, at least until the chief executive changed at the end of last year with the appointment of former Axa New Zealand CEO Ralph Stewart.

He will be replaced, in an acting capacity, by the government’s go-to appointee for tough social sector jobs, former Commerce Commission chair Paula Rebstock.

Ms Rebstock headed the government’s welfare working group and is on the board of overseeing Work and Income New Zealand.

She was also appointed last month to investigate the leaking of cabinet papers relating to the restructuring of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The matter of leaked documents will feature prominently in her ACC role as well.

The corporation has been in the eye of a storm about leaked confidential medical information and the ACC’s aggressive handling of long-term claims.