David Gonski AC to lead national e-health organisation

21 July, 2008. Distinguished Australian businessman David Gonski today takes on a new role as the chair of the National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA).

Mr Gonski joins NEHTA with e-health playing a pivotal role in Australia's health reform agenda. In October, Council of Australian Governments will consider a business case to fund a suite of e-health initiatives.

David Gonski AC is currently the Chairman of Investec Bank (Australia) Limited and Coca-Cola Amatil Limited. He is a Director of the Westfield Group, Singapore Airlines and ASX Limited and also the Chancellor of the University of New South Wales.

Mr Gonski said he has a long interest in the health sector and regards the mission of NEHTA to be "one of the most critical healthcare initiatives to be undertaken".

In announcing Mr Gonski's appointment, the Board noted the significant contribution of out-going chair Dr Tony Sherbon, CEO of the Department of Health in South Australia.

Dr Sherbon who has been a director since NEHTA's inception in 2005 has led the company through a challenging transition period. Dr Sherbon became chair of the NEHTA Board in 2007. In that period he has led NEHTA in addressing the future role of the organisation and set a new direction in facilitating the implementation of e-health initiatives. This has included addressing the recommendations of the review of NEHTA which were accepted by NEHTA Members earlier this year.

"With the appointment of Mr Gonski NEHTA is indeed fortunate to have an independent director with exceptional experience and skill as a company Director and Chair, and who has the capacity and time to take on the key leadership role of Chairman" Dr Sherbon said.

The Board looked forward to working with Mr Gonski as part of a national collaboration to deliver e-health to all Australians.

A former chairman of the Australia Council, David Gonski is also Chairman of the UNSW Foundation and Chairman of Sydney Grammar School.

Trained as a solicitor and having been a Partner of the law firm Freehills, he was previously President of the Art Gallery of New South Wales and a Director of ANZ Bank Ltd. Mr Gonski was made a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2007.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: To arrange an interview with David Gonski please contact Heather Hunt NEHTA Head of Public Affairs at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0433751346

ENDS

About NEHTA

The National E-Health Transition Authority Limited is a not-for-profit company established by the Australian Commonwealth, State and Territory governments on July 5th, 2005. It aims to develop better ways of electronically collecting and securely exchanging health information, to:

  • Improve the quality of healthcare services, allowing clinicians to more easily access accurate and complete information about their patients

  • Streamline the care of people with long term illness, who need to be looked after by many different health professionals, by enabling seamless handovers of care through for example electronic referrals and discharge summaries.

  • Improve clinical and administrative efficiency, by standardising certain types of healthcare information to be recorded in electronic systems; uniquely identifying patients, healthcare providers and medical products; and reforming the purchasing process for medical products.

while maintaining high standards of patient privacy and information security.