Well-respected First Nations leader Ms Andrea Kelly has been appointed as the Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner, commencing in January 2024.
Ms Kelly's appointment is a first step in addressing Recommendation 49 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which recommended a statutory First Nations Aged Care Commissioner to ensure culturally safe, tailored and flexible aged care services for First Nations people.
As interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner, Ms Kelly will undertake a range of key functions, expected to include:
- a mandate to lead extensive public consultations with First Nations stakeholders and communities about the design and functions of the permanent Commissioner
- contributing to the changes necessary to bring improvements for First Nations people across all tiers of the aged care system
- advocating for and promoting culturally safe, aged care for First Nations people across Australia.
An interim appointment expedites the needs of First Nations people to be heard and the opportunity to shape the functions of the permanent role, in line with Closing the Gap principles.
Ms Kelly is a proud Warumungu and Larrakia woman, with strong family connections throughout the Northern Territory. Ms Kelly has32 years of experience engaging with First Nations communities and developing public policy for First Nations populations.
Ms Kelly comes to the role from the National Indigenous Australians Agency and is particularly proud of her leadership for the establishment of the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme.
The First Nations Aged Care Commissioner is expected to be appointed in 2025.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells:
"Improving aged care for First Nations people and making sure they have access to culturally safe and tailored aged care services is a key reform priority for the Albanese Government.
"Ms Kelly brings considerable experience to the role of Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner.
"The Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner will advocate for communities and service providers across Australia to help the reforms we are undertaking in aged care meet the needs of older First Nations people."
Quotes attributable to Ms Andrea Kelly:
"I am delighted to accept the role of Interim Commissioner and for the opportunity to advocate for and work directly with First Nations people regarding their aged care needs.
"The creation of this role, and that of the permanent First Nations commissioner for aged care will enable the voices of First Nations people to be heard and acted on.
"It is an honour to serve First Nations Elders, their families, friends and community to make sure they can access culturally safe, high quality aged care when and where they need it."
