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Home > Ministers > The Hon Justine Elliot MP, Minister for Ageing > Media Hub > Refshauge and Carnell among new Appointments to Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency

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PDF printable version of Refshauge and Carnell among new Appointments to Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency (PDF 31 KB)

12 December 2008

Former NSW Deputy Premier Dr Andrew Refshauge and former ACT Chief Minister Ms Kate Carnell are two of the five new appointees to the Board of Directors of the independent Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.

The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, said the appointments were approved by Federal Cabinet this week. The appointments are:

• Ms Kate Carnell AO, a pharmacist who served as ACT Chief Minister from 1995 to 2000. Ms Carnell was chief executive officer of the Australian General Practice Network and is currently the CEO of the Australian Food and Grocery Council;
• Dr Sally Goold OAM is a registered nurse and leader in Indigenous health care. Dr Goold is the executive director of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and was Senior Australian of the Year in 2006;
• Dr June Heinrich OAM is chief executive officer of not-for-profit Baptist Community Service NSW & ACT in Sydney and a foundation principal of the NSW Corrective Services Academy;
• Dr Andrew Refshauge served as NSW Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Health, Planning and Education Minister over 10 years from 1995 to 2005. He was also a senior medical officer with the Aboriginal Medical Service; and
• Dr Mike Rungie is CEO of Aged Care and Housing (ACH), a not-for-profit organisation which provides purpose-built accommodation, specialist care facilities and support services for older people in South Australia.

“This Government is committed to ensuring the health, safety and well being of residents in aged care homes - these new appointments strengthen this commitment,” Mrs Elliot said.

“The new appointees bring a wealth of leadership, clinical and organisational experience and will complement the skills of the existing board members.

“The view of the Australian Government is simple – the care and welfare of older Australians is our primary concern – they come first.

“All five new appointments have a proud commitment to social justice,” Mrs Elliot said.

“Dr Refshauge and Ms Carnell have held senior national leadership positions in Australia; Dr Goold is a trail blazer in indigenous health care; and Dr Heinrich and Dr Rungie are world leaders in their fields as not-for-profit aged and community care providers,” Mrs Elliot said.

The 10 year-old Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency oversees the accreditation of Australia’s nursing homes and hostels. As of June 30, there were 2,830 nursing homes and hostels in Australia caring for more than 170,000 older Australians.

"There are more than 2,800 nursing homes and the vast majority are doing an excellent job providing quality care for older Australians, but when action is required this Government will move swiftly to take action,” Mrs Elliot said.

“I have been to every State and Territory and met with the hard working, dedicated staff in our aged care homes. However it important we have the right framework in place to ensure nursing home operators are meeting their legal obligations to provide proper care for nursing home residents.

“The previous government – after 12 years of neglect – failed to emphasise the needs and wishes of residents in nursing homes – this is about changing that.”

The new board members will play an important role in the ongoing Review of Accreditation Standards being undertaken by the Department of Health and Ageing, overseeing the Accreditation Agency’s comprehensive program of 7,000 announced and unannounced visits and the upcoming accreditation round for all of Australia’s nursing homes.

In addition, the Australian Government announced the re-appointment of Accreditation Agency board chairman, Mr James Harrowell and Mr Mark Brandon – who has been the chief executive officer since November 2002.

Mrs Elliot praised the current board members for their hard work and commitment over the past years.

The other board of directors of the Accreditation Agency – who remain unchanged -- are:

• James Harrowell (chair)
• Dr Michael Bollen;
• Mr David Deans;
• Mr Richard Gray;
• Mr Jon Gregerson;
• Professor Joseph Ibrahim;
• Ms Sue Macri;
• Professor Rhonda Nay; and
• Mr Douglas Strain.

(Professor Joseph Ibrahim was re-appointed to the Board. Professor Ibrahim has extensive academic and professional expertise in medicine, forensics and surgery.)

On April 28, 2008, the Australian Government revoked the appointment of Mr Peter Toohey.

The new board appointments are effective from December 10, 2008 to December 9, 2011.

Ageing in Australia

Currently, there are some 2.8 million Australians – about 13 per cent of the population – aged 65 and over. This number is expected to triple in 40 years.

Australians are now living longer because of advances in medicine and active lifestyles, and enjoy the one of the world’s longest life expectancies.

The Australian Government is responding to these challenges. Over the next four years, the Australian Government will invest more than $41.6 billion into aged and community care.

We will provide over the next four years on average $41,500 a year a resident in subsidies. No Government has invested more into this area than the Rudd Government.

For more information, contact Mrs Elliot's office on (02) 6277 7280