Carers Australia chairperson Steve Sant today announced the appointment of Alison Brook as chief executive officer (CEO) for the national peak body organisation, effective May 8, 2022. 

Carers Australia is the national peak body representing Australia’s carers, advocating to influence policies and services at a national level. The National Carer Network, which consists of Carers NSW, Carers ACT, Carers Victoria, Carers Tasmania, Carers SA, Carers WA, Carers NT, and Carers Queensland, deliver a range of essential carer services across states and territories. 

Brook comes from Relationships Australia Canberra and Region where she is the CEO managing 160 staff across six centres covering the ACT, NSW Riverina, the far south coast of NSW and surrounding regions.  

Brook has extensive national peak body experience having been the National Executive Officer for Relationships Australia for nine years, where she worked advocating for the eight state and territory federation members, with Commonwealth funders and parliamentarians.   

“This experience has provided Alison with a unique perspective both as a leader of a national peak organisation and as a member of that organisation which I believe will help her continue our work to continue to build a strong and effective National Carer Network,” said Sant.

“It would be my absolute privilege to continue to contribute to communities around Australia, and to lead a team of professionals committed to people who care for others in our Australian society,” said Brook.  

The Carers Australia board also acknowledged Melanie Cantwell for her contribution as acting chief executive officer during this time.