A select committee hearing into ACC descended into a shouting match on Thursday, with opposition MPs outraged over the ACC minister appearing in place of the board's new chairman because he is away cycling.
At the start of the week, ACC minister Nick Smith sacked chairman Ross Wilson over financial blow-outs and replaced him with John Judge.
Dr Smith told MPs at the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee that Mr Judge was doing the railtrail in Otago and had asked him to take his place.
Dr Smith further infuriated opposition MPs by answering questions directed to chief executive Jan White who was sitting beside him.
Labour MPs accused him of trying to prevent ACC from defending itself.
Labour Party leader Phil Goff has questioned whether Dr Smith is fit to hold the portfolio following the select committee hearing.
Mr Goff is questioning Dr Smith's competence as minister, saying his behaviour has been 'bizarre'.
Dr Smith said that it was perfectly appropriate for him to be answering such questions.
He told the committee he intends reconfiguring the whole board and expects to have that completed by the end of March.
