The AHPA Insider
Friday, 20 May 2025

AHPA congratulates Albanese Government but urges continued primary care reform

AHPA welcomes the re-elected Labor Government and looks forward to working with Minister Butler across his three portfolios – Health, Aged Care and the NDIS.

Chief Executive Officer Bronwyn Morris-Donovan, said it was encouraging to see that Australians are seeking a Government that balances cost of living with the need for health reform.

“We congratulate the Labor Party on their progressive commitment to advancing the nation’s health system. We now encourage the newly formed Albanese Government to recognise how allied health can be better utilised to improve access to healthcare,” said Morris-Donovan.

Fond farewells and warm welcomes at the Annual General Meeting

AHPA hosted its Annual General Meeting this week, with Board transition a key agenda item.

After more than a decade of service, the Board fondly farewelled Chair Antony Nicholas (Chief Executive Osteopathy Australia) with immense gratitude for his extraordinary contribution and commitment to advancing the allied health sector and supporting the AHPA team.

The Board also farewelled Kate Dempsey (Company Secretary and Executive Officer ANZACATA) and Catriona Davis-McCabe (Immediate Past President Australian Psychological Society) and thanks them both for their generosity and expertise over the last three years.

The Board now welcomes four new directors:

• Dr Sara Quinn – President, Australian Psychological Society

• Hilary Shelton – Chief Executive Officer, Australian Podiatry Association

• Danielle Smith – Chief Executive Officer, Exercise Sports Science Australia

• Katherine Utry – General Manager, Policy & Government Relations, Australian Physiotherapy Association.

AHPA to meet with independent reviewer of NRAS

Health ministers recently approved the terms of reference for the Independent review of complexity in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS).

AHPA in collaboration with NASRHP looks forward to active consultation with Government-appointed independent reviewer, Sue Dawson, on behalf of the sector in the coming weeks.

Self-regulating allied health professional associations are warmly invited to join an online AHPA-convened consultation on Tuesday 20 May, 2–4pm AEST.

Email office@ahpa.com.au to register your interest.

Join AHPA Chief Executive Officer Bronwyn Morris-Donovan and other sector leaders in the upcoming Towards One Healthcare System Summit.

A half-day workshop and one-day summit will bring together influential voices from across the healthcare ecosystem—including government, providers, insurers, consumer advocates, and tech vendors—to explore practical, achievable steps for better aligning existing policies, regulations, initiatives, and technologies. The goal is to reduce inefficiencies and fragmentation caused by the federated funding model and legacy systems, and move toward a more integrated, streamlined healthcare system.

Date: Tuesday 17–Wednesday 18 June 2025
Location: QT Canberra, 1 London Cct, Canberra

Next virtual Sparked Symposium on May 28

The Sparked Symposium is a one-day virtual leadership event, providing the digital health community an opportunity to hear from digital health and standards leaders from Australia and across the globe. This event will also celebrate the incredible contributions of the Sparked community and what has been achieved since Sparked launch.

Date: Wednesday 28 May 2025
Time: 9am–4:45pm AEST