Ms Kelly is a proud Warumungu and Larrakia woman, with strong family connections throughout the Northern Territory.
She has enjoyed a 30 plus year career in the Australian Public Service (APS), in both the Northern Territory and Canberra.
Ms Kelly is particularly proud of her significant role designing and establishing the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme.
As Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner, Ms Kelly is undertaking a range of key functions, including:
- listening to older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about how aged care is working for them
- promoting and reporting on whether older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can find and use culturally safe aged care services and whether they have a choice about who they ask to help them
- helping the government and aged care providers to make changes that will improve aged care for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
In 2024, Ms. Kelly conducted extensive consultations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and communities. She gathered their insights on the design and functions of the permanent Commissioner, and the first-hand the barriers faced by older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people when accessing aged care.
In February 2025, Ms Kelly released a report based on what she heard from community. She is continuing to listen and engage with communities to ensure their voices shape the future of aged care for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Learn more about the role of the Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner.