Catholic Health Australia (CHA) has announced the appointment of lawyer and policy advocate, Martin Laverty as its new chief executive officer.
Board Chairman Mr Tony Wheeler said the Board welcomed Mr Laverty to the role at a time when it had committed itself to enabling implementation of new health and aged care policies, focusing on affordability, system capacity and the needs of marginalised and less privileged Australians.
"Mr Laverty's appointment is in line with CHA's plan to work closely with governments around Australia to see access to health and aged care expanded, particularly for those living in social disadvantage,' Mr Wheeler said.
Mr Laverty, who is trained as a lawyer with a Master in Laws, has been a policy advocate with many years national and international experience in public health, disability and social policy.
He is also an active community volunteer, an experienced company director and Board chairman.
‘My entire professional career has involved working to achieve outcomes from different
governments of all political persuasions in Australia and around the world," Mr Laverty said.
"I'm now looking to work with the Australian, state, and territory governments along with others to reform health and aged care policy to ensure the needs of people in social disadvantage are met," Mr Laverty said.
During his career, Mr Laverty has worked as an advocate to governments on behalf of a number of social and political causes.
"I look forward to building on the previous achievements of CHA to further strengthen the
organisation and ensure CHA continues its vital role in serving the needs of the Catholic health and aged care sector and promoting a just health and aged care system for all Australians," he said.
He has been the CEO of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the head of government at the Smith Family, and an adviser to politicians in Australia and internationally on social policy issues.
Mr Laverty is a Board Director of the National Heart Foundation (NSW) and Chairman of the Lorna Hodgkinson Sunshine Home, one of Sydney's largest disability accommodation providers.
He is also a consultant adviser to the Government of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
Mr Laverty commences as CEO on 5 May 2008.
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