Trailblazing leader of First Nations peak bodies Pat Turner retires
After years advocating for her people across the health and public service sector, Pat Turner has retired. (AAP: Lukas Coch)
In short:
Influential Indigenous leader Pat Turner has made the "difficult decision" to step away from public life.
She has retired from her roles as lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks and CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
What's next?
The Coalition of Peaks has announced Donnella Mills as lead convenor and NACCHO deputy CEO Dawn Casey will step into role of CEO.
Pat Turner AM has announced her retirement from First Nations peak organisations after decades of leadership and advocacy for her people.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to Ms Turner's extensive career and dedication to the "wellbeing and self-determination of First Nations people and communities".
"Pat is a formidable advocate and our nation is a better place because of her," the prime minister said.
"Her tireless efforts have held governments to account, and she has worked hard to build strong working partnerships with First Nations people."
The Arrernte and Gurdanji woman is standing down as the lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, a collective representing over 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations.
"I am proud of the work I have done together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in taking the historic and fundamental step forward under the Closing the Gap agreement, where decision making is shared, and our expertise and experiences of our people is fully recognised," Ms Turner said in a statement.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy has known Pat Turner from as far back as her school days. (AAP: Lukas Coch)
The Coalition of Peaks played an instrumental role in the negotiation and development of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Ms Turner is also stepping down as CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the peak body representing over 145 health organisations which she described as "the privilege of her life".
The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, described Ms Turner as a "true giant" and expressed gratitude for her decades of service.
"Pat is one of those rare leaders who makes you feel seen, heard and challenged all at the same time. Her strength is matched only by her generosity," Senator McCarthy said.
Loading...A "difficult decision", Ms Turner said she had been considering retirement for "a few months now".
Ms Turner previously held roles as the CEO of ATSIC (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission) and was the inaugural CEO of the broadcaster NITV.
'This is my legacy'
Ms Turner served as the lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks since it was formed in 2019.
On behalf of the Coalition, Ms Turner was a central figure in the revamped Closing the Gap National Agreement that fundamentally shifted the approach of governments on Indigenous issues.
Pat Turner worked closely with governments for decades to address the disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. (Supplied: Lukas C)
The new agreement, launched in 2020, expanded beyond socio-economic targets to include structural reforms and accountability measures to change how governments operate.
"Because of that agreement, and the unity and collective strength of the Coalition of Peaks, we are beginning to shift the course for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country." Ms Turner said.
"This is my legacy I leave for my people."
In her capacity as lead convenor, Ms Turner co-chaired the Joint Council on Closing the Gap alongside the minister for Indigenous Australians to monitor the implementation and performance of the national agreement.
Stepping into the lead convenor role will be Donnella Mills until the end of June 2027.
Ms Mills is a Torres Strait Islander woman with ancestral links to Masig and Nagir who has had a long career working with Aboriginal-run organisations as chair of NACCHO and director of the Board of Kambu Aboriginal and the Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Health.
Leadership through a national crisis
Ms Turner dedicated herself to strengthening the Aboriginal community-controlled sector, ensuring service providers had the resources and capacity to drive their own change.
Appointed as NACCHO's CEO in 2016, the organisation advocated for Aboriginal-run health services ensuring adequate funding, job and training opportunities, and culturally appropriate healthcare to First Nations people across the country.
"Everything we have achieved has been driven by communities and by a sector that has always known its own strength," Ms Turner said in her statement.
Pat Turner has spent a career advocating to improve the lives of First Nations people. (ABC Sydney: Dayvis Heyne)
"Community control works because it puts our people at the centre of decisions about our health.
"I leave knowing NACCHO is strong, our services are strong, and the work will continue with the same determination that has always carried us forward."
The COVID-19 pandemic response by the community-controlled health sector was praised for its role in protecting remote communities by distributing essential information, vaccines and maintaining essential frontline services.
Speaking on the ABC's One Plus One — The Elders series, Ms Turner said NACCHO's work during the pandemic saved countless lives.
"We are very saddened by the lives we did lose and if we could have prevented that we would have, but the measures that we did take certainly saved the lives of thousands of our people," Ms Turner said.
The former NACCHO CEO was pivotal in protecting First Nations communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Supplied: NACCHO)
Dr Dawn Casey, a Tagalaka traditional owner from North Queensland, will take over as the CEO of NACCHO after working alongside Ms Turner as deputy CEO since 2016.
"It is a privilege to step into this role. Pat leaves big shoes to fill, and I want to acknowledge the strength of her leadership and what she has built," Dr Casey said.
"Community control is our strength, and that will remain at the centre of everything we do."
NACCHO chair Donnella Mills said Ms Turner's legacy at the organisation is "one of lasting reform".
"She strengthened this organisation, elevated the national standing of community-controlled health, and helped secure a new relationship with governments based on shared decision-making and accountability," Ms Mills said.
A change maker
Ms Turner has been a trailblazer in the Australian public service, moving through the ranks to become one of the most senior Indigenous leaders in the country.
Beginning as a switchboard operator in the Native Welfare Department in Alice Springs, Ms Turner moved on to become the first female community welfare officer for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in Alice Springs in 1972.
She was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1990 for her contribution to public service.
Her career reached national prominence when she was appointed deputy secretary in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in 1991.
Pat Turner has been a trailblazer in the public service, with her career taking off during the 1970s and 80s. (Supplied: National Library of Australia)
There she oversaw the establishment of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, a statutory body established to formalise a reconciliation process between Indigenous people and the broader community.
In 1994 she became the first Aboriginal person and woman to serve as CEO of ATSIC.
"Pat has always brought heart to her work," Senator McCarthy said.
Even in the most challenging times she found a way to remind us all of why we do what we do."