Private Healthcare Australia (PHA) has appointed former SA Government Minister, John Hill, to the position of Independent Chair.
With more than 20 years’ experience in public life and 11 years as Minister in South Australia, he was instrumental in the development of some of the State’s most significant health projects, including the New Royal Adelaide Hospital and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute.
PHA Chief Executive Dr Rachel David said the PHI industry would benefit from Mr Hill’s vast experience as a public policy professional and as a highly-respected Board director, whose existing directorships include:
- Deputy Chancellor, University of SA
- Independent Chair, Goyder Institute for Water Research
- Deputy Chair, ACH Group
- Director, Bellberry Limited
During Mr Hill’s Parliamentary career, which began in 1997, he was the Opposition Shadow Minister for the Environment until Labor’s election in 2002, from which date until 2013 he served in a number of ministerial roles – including Minister for Environment and Conservation [2002 – 2006], Minister for Health [2005 – 2013] and assistant Minister and Minister for the Arts [2002 – 2013]. He did not re-contest his seat at the 2014 election.
Mr Hill said he was looking forward to working with the private health sector during the challenging reform implementation phase, introduced on 1 April.
“Being a Minister provided enormous opportunities to develop competencies and skills such as strategic planning, policy development and implementation and ethical governance – making mistakes along the way but surviving long enough to be confident that they have all been developed to a high level. As Health Minister I oversaw a budget of more than $4.5b, a workforce of over 30,000 while implementing a significant reform agenda,” he said.
Dr David said “the PHI industry is extremely fortunate to secure the skills of someone so well-respected and influential on both sides of government, with a genuine passion and interest in health sector reform. His appointment will complement the expertise and skills of the current PHA Board which represents a cross section of the industry of both profit and not-for-profit health funds from around Australia.”
The PHA Board comprises Acting Chair Rhod McKensey (nib); Andrew Wilson (Medibank); Dwayne Crombie (Bupa); Sheena Jack (HCF); Mark Valena (GMHBA); Gerard Fogarty (Defence Health); Byron Gregory (Health Partners); and Rob Seljak (TUH).
Mr Hill will take up his position in May.
Media Contact: Jen Eddy, 0439 240 755