Kate Pope appointed acting Inspector-General of Aged Care

The federal government has announced the appointment of senior public servant Kate Pope as acting Inspector-General of Aged Care following the recent departure of Natalie Siegel-Brown.

Ms Pope started her role on August 1 and will serve on an interim basis while the recruitment process for a permanent Inspector-General continues.

The Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care was established following recommendations from the aged care royal commission and operates independently, providing oversight of reforms and accountability across the sector.

Ms Pope brings more than 35 years of public sector experience to the position, including as the Deputy President of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Repatriation Commission. She was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2012.

Aged Care and Seniors Minister Sam Rae said the role remained critical to ongoing reform of the aged care system.

“The Inspector-General has an important function in working co-operatively with the government to advance systemic improvements to Australia’s aged care system,” he said.

“Ms Pope comes to the position with deep experience in the public sector and I am confident she will do an excellent job in working with us and the Parliament in improving aged care for older people.”

Ms Pope succeeds Natalie Siegel-Brown, who resigned earlier this year and officially left the position on July 31.

Ms Siegel-Brown cited expanding international responsibilities with a United Nations agency and family commitments as reasons for her departure.

“The role of Inspector‑General of Aged Care demands complete dedication, and it deserves nothing less,” she said.

“While this was not a decision I made lightly, my international obligations have fundamentally changed, and retaining both roles would not be consistent with the level of dedication the Inspector‑General role demands.”

During her tenure, she became a prominent voice in debates about aged care reform, frequently highlighting issues around access to care, wait times and system complexity.

In a National Press Club address last month, Ms Siegel-Brown warned that aspects of the government’s aged care reforms were “causing harm” and argued policymakers had become too focused on managing demand rather than preventing decline among older Australians.

She also raised concerns about the more than 200,000 older Australians waiting for assessments or support services, warning delays often resulted in people requiring more intensive and expensive care later.

“Long wait times and long wait lists are deferred costs with a higher bill because people don’t disappear from the system when they wait or even when they give up on it,” she said in her address.

“They come back and when they do, they’re sicker and most often they need more expensive care.”

Mr Rae thanked Ms Siegel-Brown for her service and wished her well in her future endeavours as she transitions to her expanded international role.