“We wish Mr Lennon all the best for his future endeavours and thank him for the commitment and energy he brought to the icare board over the past five years.”

Those were the words of Insurance and Care NSW (icare) in a statement by the workers’ compensation insurer following the resignation of Mark Lennon – the president of the Australian Labor Party (New South Wales Branch) – as icare non-executive director.

The departure, which was confirmed by NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, comes just days after icare was featured on investigative journalism programme Four Corners. A joint probe with The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald has raised questions about the provider’s performance and management of the Nominal Insurer.

Read more: Regulator refers icare to Independent Commission Against Corruption

Earlier this week, icare defended itself by asserting: “These are historical issues, many of which have been previously addressed. Some reports are misleading and inaccurate.”

Now, in response to Lennon’s “difficult decision,” icare said the NSW Labor president had been an instrumental member of the board.

“His insight and commitment to the needs of injured workers has been a constant reference in our transformation journey,” stated icare, “as is his extensive knowledge of workers’ compensation legislation and regulation.”

Lennon had been with the board since icare came to life in 2015.