Expert voices and lived experience: Gov advisory council new faces

Fresh changes in two of the Australian Government’s aged care advisory councils have rolled through with several of the sector’s most respected aged care leaders, ageing experts and advocates elevated to prominent positions.

The most notable change occurred in the National Aged Care Advisory Council (NACAC), where Professor Sue Gordon is its new Chair. 

The former ARIIA Research Director replaced Andrea Coote as part of a streamlined eight-person membership from 2025. Professor Gordon’s tenure at ARIIA spanned three years, while her distinguished past includes 20 years as a physiotherapy practitioner and 18 years in academia. 

“I’m looking forward to working closely with my fellow Council members to provide trusted and timely advice to Government that drives positive change and well-considered outcomes across aged care,” Professor Gordon shared.  

“2025 promises to be another busy year and the Council is keen to continue to engage closely with the sector and government, particularly on key reforms such as the new Aged Care Act and the Support at Home program.”

NACAC provides expert advice to the Federal Government on key matters relating to the aged care sector, including implementing aged care reforms, improving navigation and delivery of aged care services, and building the capability of providers and workforce to meet changing requirements. 

The National Aged Care Advisory Council was established in response to recommendation 7 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety final report.  

Professor Gordon is joined by four new members from some of Australia’s leading organisations: 

• Professor Tanya Buchanan, CEO of Dementia Australia
• Associate Professor Mark Yates, Geriatrician at Ballarat Health Services
• Charles Moore, CEO of BaptistCare
• Peter Doukas OAM, Chair of Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA)

OPAN Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Craig Gear OAM, Chair of Council of Elders Anne Burgess AM and Dr Sandra Iuliano have retained their positions. 

Departing NACAC members include former HammondCare CEO Mike Baird AO and former Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe AM. CEOs at Ageing Australia – Tom Symondson, Opal HealthCare – Rachel Argaman OAM, and COTA Australia Patricia Sparrow have also finished with NACAC. 

The Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells, praised NACAC for its advice on the Aged Care Bill, Support at Home, aged care quality indicators and the star ratings system. 

“During the past three years, the National Aged Care Advisory Council has played an integral role in the government’s mission to improve the quality of aged care in Australia,” Minister Wells said.

“I look forward to working with Professor Gordon and new and returning members in 2025. Our focus for 2025 will not just be delivering Support at Home program and the new Aged Care Act but communicating with the sector to build confidence through the transition.

“Reform this significant cannot be achieved without the support and advice of groups like NACAC.”

Elsewhere, the Aged Care Council of Elders has welcomed four new members. Council Chair Anne Burgess will continue in her role alongside nine returning members and the following additions:

• Professor Ponniah Anandajayasekeram, PhD (Dr Ananda): Board Chair of Victoria’s Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre. Sri Lankan by origin, Dr Ananda also volunteers with several organisations that enable older people to partner with multicultural entities to progress community-based issues.
• Associate Professor John Cullen: A practising geriatrician with 30 years’ experience in the hospital and residential aged care sectors. His particular interest is in dementia support programs and care in remote and rural regions.
• Mr William (Uncle Benny) Hodges: A Torres Strait Islander man from Waanyi Garawa Bam Le Kulkalgal Nation, and a respected Elder living in the ACT. He has over 30 years’ experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs and was recently named ACT NAIDOC 2024 Elder of the Year.
• Mr Russell Westacott: Former CEO at Seniors Rights Service (SRS), and Director of Client Services at AIDS Council of NSW. SRS was active in the advocacy network that helped establish OPAN and Elder Abuse Action Australia (EAAA).

Ms Burgess said the group is committed to ensuring the voices and lived experiences of older people are heard and considered by the government when making aged care decisions. 

“I look forward to working alongside our new and returning members this year as we continue to provide well considered, on the ground advice about what matters most to older people,” Ms Burgess said. 

“I would like to express my thanks for the contribution of those members whose terms have come to an end. Margaret Walsh OAM, Professor Tom Calma AO and Professor John McCallum, your dedication to making a positive difference for current and future generations of older people is incredible. It has been an honour to work with you.”

Council members are active in their local communities, engaging and gathering insights about people’s real-life experiences of ageing and aged care. The council values this feedback and it informs their advice to government. 

The Council of Elders was established in response to recommendation 9 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety final report.

Minister Wells also thanked the outgoing trio of Ms Walsh, Professor Calma and Professor McCallum. 

“I deeply value the advice given to me by The Council of Elders. Their willingness to be frank and collaborative has had a genuine impact on our aged care reform,” Minister Wells added. 

“I look forward to continuing to work with the council to deliver the Aged Care Act and Support at Home program, and equally as importantly, to communicate with older people about what the reforms mean for them.

“The council’s advice on our reform reflects their unique, real-life experience of ageing and aged care. I am grateful for their valuable advice as we’ve worked to build a better aged care system for all older people.”