Jason Kara new CHA CEO

Former Catholic Health Australia director of aged care Jason Kara has been announced as the peak advocacy body’s new chief executive officer.

CHA director John Watkins said he was “delighted” Mr Kara was stepping into the CEO role.

“Jason has been an outstanding advocate for Catholic aged care and the most vulnerable in society. He will bring his experience and compassionate advocacy to the broader health, aged and community care sectors.”

Mr Watkins added: “Jason has fulfilled his current role with creativity and intelligence at a time of great change in the sector. He has built strong relationships across the CHA membership while advocating for a quality and sustainable aged care system.”

CHA is the largest non-government grouping of health, community, and aged care services in Australia accounting for 12 per cent of aged care facilities, and 20 per cent of home care and support for the country’s elderly.

Mr Kara – who takes over the CEO role from Pat Garcia, who left CHA in July after four years in the top job ­– is a highly experienced policy professional who has taken on significant roles in the public and not-for-profit sectors including senior advisor in the New South Wales Premier’s Department. He has also served as a board director for the Community Restorative Centre, a not-for-profit organisation tackling recidivism.

“The board is pleased to appoint Jason to the role of CEO at a critical time for the care sector in Australia,” said Mr Watkins. “He will continue to support our members to make a real difference to the lives of all in the community, but especially the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalised.”

Mr Kara commenced CEO duties on Tuesday 3 October.

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