First Nations appointee on aged care advisory council

Mununjahli Yugambeh woman Jody Currie has been appointed to the National Aged Care Advisory Council.

The advisory council provides expert advice to government on the aged care sector and implementation of ongoing reforms. It reports directly to the Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler and the Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells.

“Jody Currie’s appointment to my advisory council on aged care restores the representation of First Nations people,” said Minister Wells in a statement.

“The appointment of Jody Currie to the council aligns with the Closing the Gap agreement to enable a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and achieve better outcomes,” she added.

Meanwhile, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health Malarndirri McCarthy said: “For far too long older First Nations people have experienced barriers to accessing aged care services in their homes and communities. To address service gaps and improve access to care, we must include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in the design, discussion and implementation of aged care reforms.”

Ms Currie brings a wealth of aged care and health knowledge to the advisory council including roles in government, not-for-profit and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services.

“Her appointment is a significant step in the right direction for bringing meaningful change to aged care services for older First Nations people,” said Assistant Minister McCarthy.

Ms Currie has held several board positions in community and government sectors, including the former Aged Care Sector Committee and Hearing Australia.

She has also worked in senior roles for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane, Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council, Apunipima Cape York Health Council and the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health.

Currently a senior research fellow at the University of Melbourne, Ms Currie is also a member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing and Aged Care Council.

“A seat at the table means our voices are heard.”

Upon the announcement of her appointment, Ms Currie said: “A seat at the table means our voices are heard at the national level to drive and action the aged care reforms. It means our elders ageing on Country are not a second thought, they are front and centre of the government’s response to the royal commission’s recommendations.”

Ms Currie added that she hopes that her community’s methods of caring for its elders can also help mainstream Australia to understand the importance of maintaining stewardship of its seniors.

“Walking, working and learning together, we can strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care and health services, and together care for our precious elders,” she said.

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