Rankin case to stay put: judge

By VERNON SMALL political editor

Department of Work and Income chief executive Christine Rankin still wants to keep her job, and believes she can work with Social Services Minister Steve Maharey.

"I have worked now for something like 18 months and we have got fantastic results and we have done everything that has been asked of us, in every way. So I don't see why not," she told the Herald yesterday from the department's Balclutha office.

Mrs Rankin won a significant victory yesterday when Chief Employment Court Judge Tom Goddard ruled that he did have jurisdiction over her case against State Services Commissioner Michael Wintringham.

"I'm really delighted it is going to the Employment Court," Mrs Rankin said. "That is the place it belongs."

The Crown had argued that state chief executives were not covered by the Employment Relations Act jurisdiction of the court.

A full hearing is set for June 25.

Mrs Rankin is seeking $818,000, after Mr Wintringham did not recommend her re-appointment when her three-year, $250,000-a-year contract ends on July 5.

Mrs Rankin again vowed to tell her story. She said people would be shocked and horrified by her treatment, but would not say by whom.

"You will have to wait until the court case."

She said she had not given any thought to her future if she lost.

"I am concentrating absolutely on my job, which I love and enjoy most moments of.

"It's an organisation I am extremely attached to and very passionate about and I'm just making the most of every day and concentrating on that court case, too."

Judge Goddard said Ms Rankin's statement of claim alleged that Mr Wintringham broke her contract and did not deal with her as a fair employer.

She alleged he had not dealt with concerns about her working relationship with Mr Maharey, failed to consult her about plans to disestablish her job, and did not complete regular remuneration reviews.

"She points to a number of actions - including his failure to come to her defence when she was being criticised publicly by politicians, including (but not limited to) her own minister; when she was being criticised to her face by other officials; and when she was being criticised by the news media," said Judge Goddard.

Mrs Rankin claimed the criticisms turned Mr Wintringham's mind again her.

"I hold that she is entitled to ventilate her grievances in this court," said Judge Goddard.

He said Mr Wintringham believed he had merely done his statutory duty, "but that the plaintiff did not measure up".

Opposition MPs welcomed Judge Goddard's ruling and said the case would be a test of the Employment Relations Act.