Background

The First Nations Expert Committee on Health System Metrics (Expert Committee) has been established to partner with the AIHW to review and develop measures for assessing the effectiveness of health system reforms for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) people under the next National Health Reform Agreement. This includes measures co-designed to embed cultural safety, eliminate racism and ensure equity and accountability in health care settings.

Meetings 

The Expert Committee is co-chaired by a First Nations member, Ms Robyn Newitt, and by an AIHW member, Dr Fadwa Al-Yaman. Meetings are held 4–6 times a year, with a mix of face-to-face and online meetings.

Membership 

The Expert Committee comprises:

  • 12 First Nations members, with skills and experience in one or more of the following areas:
    • lived experience across various sectors of the health system, including hospital, emergency, primary care, mental health services, specialist care, and community health support
    • health system performance measurements and assessment and integration across the health system and care systems
    • data and metrics related to the health of First Nations people, particularly around access to services, health outcomes, cultural safety and racism, and equity across the health system
    • understanding of cultural safety and systemic racism and their impact on health system accessibility and health outcomes
    • research involving First Nations people with a particular focus on social and emotional wellbeing, racism, cultural safety metrics and patient reported experience and patients reported outcomes
    • service delivery across health and hospital systems
    • data governance, particularly governance of First Nations data
    • instrument or survey design and conduct
    • data development relating to areas outlined above.
  • One AIHW member, who has relevant subject matter and technical expertise, but is not required to be a First Nations person.
Membership at 12 November 2025 (names are listed alphabetically)
Member name and mobAffiliation

Mrs Jasmyn Adams

Malak Malak

Queensland Health
Dr Fadwa Al-Yaman (AIHW Co-Chair)Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Dr Chris Bourke

Gamillaroi

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

Dr Andrea Clarke

Arabana & Aranda

University of Melbourne

Mr Simon Costello

Quandamooka Noonuccal Bungalung Githabal

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation

Ms Anita Graham

Narungga

Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory

Mr Nathan Jones

Bundjalung

NSW Department of Health – Centre for Aboriginal Health

Mr Rus Nasir

Djugan/Yawuru

Darwin Indigenous Men’s Service

Member of Nyamba Buru Yawuru Limited (NBY)

Ms Robyn Newitt (First Nations Co-Chair)

Yorta Yorta and D(T)harawal		Monash University

Mrs Pauline Nolan

Yorta Yorta		Bendigo Health

Prof Yin Paradies

Wakaya		Deakin University

Mr Kaarl Waldrop

Narungga		Vic Department of Health

Ms Kim Whiteley

Warramunga, Bogan River - Wiradjuri		National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing and Aged Care Council

Contact us

Secretariat support is provided by the Cultural Safety and Racism Metrics Unit at the AIHW.

Address
First Nations Expert Committee Secretariat
Cultural Safety and Racism Metrics Unit
AIHW
GPO Box 570
Canberra ACT 2601
Email
[email protected]
Phone
02 6249 4749