From today Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) transitions into the new aged care sector industry organisation – Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA).
Inside Ageing recently spoke with Mr Rooney about his time leading the peak body and the ongoing challenges facing the sector…Read it here
Mr Rooney said the transition marks the end of one chapter of growth for representation and support in the aged care sector and the beginning of a new one building on a unified and collaborative approach to advocacy and support for all aged care providers.
“I have been proud to lead LASA over the past six years since the unification of different state-based organisations into the leading voice of the age services sector. Our goal has always been to drive the development of LASA into becoming a high-performing, national peak body and respected leader in the sector,” Mr Rooney said.
“Our promise to Members of ‘a strong voice and a helping hand’ is emblematic of what we have been able to achieve over the past decade in our work in supporting providers of aged care and services to older Australians.
“With ACSA and faith-based aged care provider groups, we formed the Australian Aged Care Collaboration (AACC) which enabled us to learn and experience working together to campaign for reform commitments from the government in the wake of the Royal Commission and more recently during the federal election campaign. This experience and the impact of the AACC have played a key role in leading us to realise the new, single association for all providers of aged care services – ACCPA.
“I want to thank all of LASA’s Members and stakeholders for their support and for committing to the vision to take sector representation a step further to form a strong and united voice in the historic vote with ACSA Members in April to create ACCPA.”
LASA Chairman and now ACCPA Chairman, Dr Graeme Blackman AO, said it had been a privilege to Chair LASA and see it grow into Australia’s premier aged care peak body with a strong leadership at the helm ably supported by a team in possession of a wealth of sector expertise.
“LASA has been a leader in its field providing strong advocacy and representation for Members through exceptionally challenging times with the Royal Commission and the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr Blackman said.
“Sean Rooney has been instrumental in getting us to the position we are in today, showing great leadership, passion and determination for the organisation, our Members, the industry, and the older Australians in their care.”
Mr Rooney said that ACCPA was the right vehicle to take on the enormous task of once-in-a-generation aged care reform as set out in the Royal Commission’s final report.
“As we face the continuing challenges of the pandemic and reshaping reform of aged care emanating from the Aged Care Royal Commission, ACCPA will be a unified and strong advocate for our Members, whilst also providing valuable support for Members as we strive to deliver all the care and services older Australians need and deserve,” Mr Rooney said.
Mr Rooney will lead the Transformation Management Office as LASA and ACSA are transitioned fully into ACCPA after which time he will leave the organisation.
