Robbs will begin her position immediately and take over from Ray Dunn who has held the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Life Without Barriers for the last twelve years.

Founded in 1995, Life Without Barriers is one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit organisations and provides care and support services across Australia in urban, rural and remote locations and in New Zealand. Their services span family support and out-of-home care, disability services, home and community care and support to refugees and asylum seekers. They also deliver services across mental health, homelessness and youth justice.

“As the new CEO, I am passionate about ensuring that we remain true to the values and origins of our organisation. We must strongly maintain our determination to ‘never give up’ on the people we provide services for,” Robbs said.

Robbs has held a number of senior positions in Life Without Barriers prior to her appointment as CEO, becoming Deputy CEO in 2010. She drove the development and implementation of the Reconciliation Action Plan and Accessibility Action Plan for the organisation and was integral to the development of the 2010-2015 Life Without Barriers Strategic Plan, which sets a bold agenda for the future.

“I am delighted and humbled to be leading this extraordinary organisation. We must set high standards across the services we provide to not only meet the professional standards of our industry, but exceed them,” said Robbs.

Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler announced Louise Sylvan as the new CEO of the Australian National Preventive Health Agency (ANPHA) for a period of five years.

ANPHA is an independent statutory authority created to lead the fight against preventable diseases through preventive health initiatives targeting obesity and alcohol, tobacco and other substance abuse.

The appointment is a major element of the Government’s national health reform agenda, which attempts to focus on preventing illness and promoting better health and wellbeing in Australia.

Minister Butler said “This Government is committed to making Australia a healthier country, and that is why we established the national preventive health agency and are investing more than $870 million in prevention, the largest single investment ever of its kind.”

Sylvan has experience in the private and public sector, spanning policy development, stakeholder engagement and service delivery activities. She was appointed as a Productivity Commissioner in 2008 and is well-known for her work in enhancing consumer rights in a range of areas such as health, food safety, consumer policy and financial services.

“There is a significant amount of evidence which shows that well-planned prevention programs are effective in enhancing both the quality and length of people’s lives,” Minister Butler said.

“We also know that the impact of chronic disease on the economy and health expenditure is significant. Total expenditure on health by all levels of government, the private sector and individuals, accounts for nearly ten per cent of Australia’s gross domestic product. The preventive health agency can make an important contribution to the future sustainability of our healthcare system.”

Third Sector wishes Robbs and Sylvan well in their new roles.