Former health minister Nicola Roxon, responsible for means testing of the health insurance rebate, is the new chair of the Australian and New Zealand arm of Bupa.
Ms Roxon, who served as health minister from 2007 to 2011, gained a global reputation when Australia became the first country to introduce plain cigarette packaging laws. As health minister, she also announced the introduction of a means test for the private health insurance rebate in the 2011-12 Budget.
She retired from politics at the 2013 federal election and will now succeed John Conde AO as chair of Australia's largest health insurer by membership numbers.
According to Lord Leitch, chair of the UK-based Bupa Group, “I’m delighted the Honourable Nicola Roxon will become Chairman of Bupa Australia & New Zealand. Nicola brings a wealth of public and commercial experience to this position. Among her current roles, Nicola is a Non-Executive Director of Bupa Australia & New Zealand, the Bupa Health Foundation and listed entities Dexus and Lifestyle Communities. She is also Chair of the Cancer Council Australia.
“John has steered the business wonderfully well over the past ten years, overseeing its growth from a private health insurer into a major health and care company with more than six million customers. Today, Bupa Australia & New Zealand offers services across health insurance, aged care, retirement living, dental, optical and medical visa services. John’s leadership of the Bupa A&NZ Board has seen Bupa develop market leading positions in several of these areas.
“I’d like to recognize John for his outstanding contribution and congratulate Nicola for her appointment as we look to grow Bupa Australia & New Zealand as a true champion of the customer and place where our people love to work. This will help ensure strong and sustainable commercial success in the years ahead.”