Priorities for First Nations aged care reform 

Australia’s Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner Jodi Cassar PSM has outlined her priorities for the coming year as work progresses to establish a permanent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner.

The legislation was introduced into Parliament on 1 July and is currently progressing through the parliamentary process.

The interim commissioner said her first month in the role had centred on the introduction of legislation to establish the permanent statutory commissioner position and the federal government’s response to the inaugural interim commissioner’s report.

Ms Cassar commenced the interim position on 1 July, succeeding inaugural Interim Commissioner Andrea Kelly. 

She is a Kamilaroi/Gamilaroi woman with more than 20 years’ experience leading government reform and will remain in the role while the permanent position is established and filled. 

The proposed permanent commissioner would operate as an independent statutory role within the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, providing an independent voice for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the aged care system. 

The update also highlighted the government’s response to Ms Kelly’s Transforming Aged Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People report, which commits to further reform, investment and partnership with First Nations communities to improve access to culturally safe, trauma-informed aged care.

In her first month in the role, Ms Cassar took part in a series of sector events, including the First Nations Aged Care Roundtable, National Aged Care Advisory Council meeting and the Australian Elder Abuse Conference.

She said it was an honour to be appointed to the role, noting “my first month as Interim Commissioner was busy and rewarding. It began with two important milestones: legislation to establish a permanent Commissioner and the Government response to Ms Kelly’s report.”

“These conversations help me understand what matters to individuals and communities. They will remain a key priority for me as Interim Commissioner.”