Ms Kelly, who is a respected First Nations leader, is a proud Warumungu and Larrakia woman, who has strong family connections in the Northern Territory and 32 years’ experience engaging with First Nations communities and developing public policy for First Nations populations. She will begin her new role in January 2024.

She was previously with the Federal Government’s National Indigenous Australians Agency and aided with the establishment of the Government’s Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme.

“The creation of this role, and that of the permanent First Nations commissioner for aged care, will enable the voices of First Nations people to be heard and acted on,” she said.

The Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner will have a range of functions, including leading extensive public consultations with First Nations stakeholders and communities about the permanent Commissioner’s role, contributing to the changes necessary to bring improvements for First Nations people to the aged care system, and advocating for and promoting culturally safe aged care for First Nations people.

The appointment addresses Recommendation 49 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which recommended a statutory First Nations Aged Care Commissioner to ensure culturally safe, tailored and flexible aged care services for First Nations people.

The First Nations Aged Care Commissioner is expected to be appointed in 2025.