KEY POINTS:
Australian-owned Lab Tests went to the Court of Appeal in Wellington today in its bid to win back its $560 million contract for Auckland's pathology services.
Lab Tests, owned by Australian listed company Healthscope, is appealing at High Court ruling last year which invalidated its eight-year contract with the Auckland, Waitemata and Counties-Manukau district health boards.
The pathology services are being carried out by long-term provider Diagnostic Medlab, also Australian-owned, in an interim arrangement that runs out in December.
In the High Court, Justice Raynor Asher annulled Lab Tests' contract after hearing evidence of a conflict of interest involving Lab Tests former chief executive Tony Bierre, who was also at one time an Auckland District Health Board member.
Healthscope managing director Bruce Dixon denied the awarding of the contract to Lab Tests involved "any unfairness or prejudice against Diagnostic Medlab or any advantage to Lab Tests".
The Court of Appeal hearing is set down for eight days.
- NZPA
