AAG Presents
AAG Conversations: Issues That Matter Series Episode 2
Human Rights Under Support at Home
From Legislation to Lived Experience
We plan to record this event and make that recording available to all registrants.
If you can't make it on the day we encourage you to register
anyway so that you receive the link.
Access to the recording in our video library will be
restricted to AAG members and webinar registrants
Australia’s new Aged Care Act promises a rights based system that puts older people at the centre. But how are those rights being experienced in practice, particularly under the new Support at Home program?
This webinar brings together perspectives from older people and advocates, providers, policy and regulatory experts to explore what the transition to Support at Home looks like in real life. We will examine what is working well, what is proving challenging, and where gaps remain between the intent of the legislation and lived experience.
This webinar forms part of our Department of Health, Disability and Ageing–funded engagement work as an Aged Care Consumer Peak Body and aligns with our broader advocacy for a Human Rights Act in Australia.
This event will also kick off our conversations with members to inform our submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Support at Home Program.
Join us for an honest, constructive discussion about how Australia can move from legislation to lived experience and ensure the promise of rights based aged care is fulfilled.
Hear from our speakers:
Natalie Siegel-Brown
Inspector-General of Aged Care
Natalie Siegel-Brown is a passionate advocate for human rights and ensuring integrity, transparency, and accountability in Australia’s aged care system. Appointed as Inspector-General of Aged Care from 14 January 2025, she leads the Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care in providing independent oversight of Australia’s aged care system. Her mission is to ensure that human rights are the compass in aged care service delivery, and that the government administers and regulates an aged care system where every person receives kind, compassionate and high-quality care that promotes their rights, identity, and independence.
Gwenda Darling
Gwenda Darling, a Palawa woman, is a well-known dementia and aged care activist. Gwenda has invested her life and career advocating for trauma-responsive care for all age groups and people, including Aboriginal Australian children, LGBTI+ and other minority groups. Since her diagnosis with younger onset dementia in 2012, she remains a respected, influential voice for choice and control in aged care settings. Gwenda participates in dementia research and until recently was involved with the Aged Care Council of Elders.
Samantha Edmonds
Policy, Education and Systemic Advocacy Team.
Older Person’s Advocacy Network (OPAN)
Samantha Edmonds leads the Older Person’s Advocacy Network (OPAN)’s Policy, Education and Systemic Advocacy Team. Samantha has extensive knowledge and experience in policy, advocacy, human rights, and a strong commitment to social justice and inclusive aged care. Samantha is on the Board of the International Federation of Ageing and Chairs the DoHDA Diversity Consultative Committee. Samantha is a distinguished member of the Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) and is Co-Convenor of the AAG’s Elder Abuse Special Interest Group.
Lisa Rollinson
Director of Aged Care Services
Brotherhood of St Laurence
Lisa Rollinson is the Director of Aged Care Services at the Brotherhood of St Laurence, where she leads the delivery of high-quality, person-centered aged care services across the organization.
Lisa has been with the Brotherhood of St Laurence since 2002 and brings over two decades of experience in the aged care and community services sector.
With extensive experience across both aged care and the NDIS environment, Lisa has played a key role in implementing strategic reform, translating policy into practice, and driving service design, delivery and partnerships that support positive outcomes for older Australians.
Lisa holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Graduate Diploma of Business (E-business and Communication) from Swinburne University, and a Graduate Diploma of Education (Health) from Deakin University.
Moderated by:
Anita Westera
AAG’s President
Anita is an experienced researcher, registered nurse and former adviser in the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments.
Anita is passionate about influencing local (service delivery) and systemic (policy and program) processes to improve the lives of older people and people living with dementia.