David has worked in health and human services for more than 40 years, for much of that time in CEO and Non-Executive Director roles. Originally a journalist, David first worked in the health system on the introduction and sustainability of Medicare. His Board roles have included Little Company of Mary Health Care (the Calvary Group), Mental Health Australia, Catholic Health Australia (Chair, Policy Committee for six years), The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia, and Pharmacy Development Australia.
As CEO and Commissioner of the National Mental Health Commission, David oversaw the development of the seminal report, Contributing Lives Thriving Communities – National Review of Mental Health Programmes and Services. His executive roles have included CEO (or National CEO) of the ACT Department of Health and Community Care, Little Company of Mary Health Care, Australian General Practice Network, National Rural Health Alliance, OzHelp Foundation (interim) and GROW Australia.
David was also Deputy Secretary of the Australian Department of Health, including as Chair of the Department’s Policy Advisory Group, Australia’s first Chief Allied Health Officer, and Head of Rural and Regional Health Australia. His policy responsibilities included mental health and suicide prevention, primary health care reform (ultimately leading to the development of Primary Health Networks), population health, rural health, regulatory policy and safety and quality.
Chair, Policy Advisory Committee
