Minister for Health Jill Hennessy has launched the new office at an event emceed by health law expert Michael Gorton AM. 

Minister Hennessy said the Health Complaints Act 2016 gave greater powers to the new office to protect the public from unsafe and unethical healthcare providers. 

“The watchdog will play a pivotal role in protecting the public from unethical health providers who try to take advantage of the vulnerable and sick by making false and outrageous claims,” Minster Hennessy said. 

At the launch, Minister Hennessy also announced the appointment of Karen Cusack as the inaugural Health Complaints Commissioner. 

For the past seven years, Ms Cusack has been the Corporate Counsel at the Royal Women’s Hospital and a member of the hospital’s executive team.  She brings considerable legal expertise, having been a lawyer for more than 20 years, and extensive knowledge of the health sector to the role.

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy, Health Complaints Commissioner Karen Cusack and Michael Gorton AM opening the HCC.