Media Release - Health Workforce Australia's First Board Appointed

12 February 2010

The first board of Health Workforce Australia (HWA) has been appointed, with the Hon Jim McGinty being appointed to the position of chairman of the Board.

The 12 other Members of the Board have experience across a broad cross section of health professionals - including doctors, nursing and allied health - as well as people with knowledge and expertise in teaching, training and running our vital health services.

Mark Cormack, the new CEO of HWA will work closely with members of the board on the Government’s health reform agenda. Mr Cormack has taken up this position after running the ACT health service for 3 years.

This is another major step forward in building the health workforce for the future – planning properly for growing demand in an area that has been neglected by past governments.

Establishing Health Workforce Australia is part of the historic 2008 COAG partnership which is delivering a record $1.6 billion in workforce investments. The Rudd Government has committed $1.1 billion to the partnership, with $500m dedicated to clinical subsidies, and the States have committed $500 million.

I look forward to HWA improving the integration of our workforce planning across public and private settings and across Commonwealth and State investments.