Leading senior’s advocacy body, COTA Australia, has appointed one of Australia’s most experienced public sector administrators and policy thinkers, Jane Halton AO PSM, as its next Independent Chair. Ms Halton will take up the three-year position on 6 December.
Ms Halton formerly headed the Australian Government Department of Finance, and before that the Department of Health and Ageing, and was a Deputy Secretary in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Jane Halton currently serves on the boards of Australia corporations such as ANZ bank, Clayton Utz lawyers and the Australian Policy Institute, and is an Adjunct Professor at the Universities of Canberra and Sydney.
Former roles include President of the World Health Assembly, Executive Board Member of the World Health Organisation, Chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Councils and Commissioner of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
COTA Australia CEO, Ian Yates, welcomed Ms Halton’s appointment
“We’re delighted to welcome Jane Halton as the next Independent Chair of COTA Australia,” Mr Yates said.
“Jane is one of Australia’s most respected and experienced public health administrators and public policy experts, with extensive experience across the health spectrum, aged care, public sector finance, and governance.
“We look forward to drawing on this extensive knowledge and experience in advancing COTA Australia’s work as the leading advocate for older Australians at a national level.”
Jane Halton said she was looking forward to taking up the role.
“My first job after graduating from university more than 30 years ago was working at ANU’s ageing and family project and I have been closely tied to the sector ever since, including negotiating and running the Home and Community Care (HACC) program and being divisional head of Aged Care, as well as having overall responsibility for aged care as Secretary for 12 years.
“As we live longer and healthier lives it is vital that we have planning and strategies in place that capitalise on this wealth of our population’s experience, and at the same time ensure all Australians are treated with dignity and respect as we age.
“I look forward to supporting COTA’s work in speaking forcefully for consumer interests, particularly in priority areas such as aged care, retirement incomes, health policy and housing over the next three years.”
Mr Yates thanked retiring COTA Australia chair, Jill Iliffe, for her tireless work and support for older Australians.
Media contact: Ian Yates 0418 835 439, Bronte Kerr 0411 676 269
COTA Australia is the peak policy development, advocacy and representation organisation for older Australians, representing COTAs in every State and Territory and through them over 500,000 older Australians.
