Territory Government launches Health Advisory Committee and Bilawara Lee takes top role

Revealed: Your first look at the Northern Territory Government’s community-based Health Advisory Committee. We speak to the woman leading 10 other Territorians on the initiative.

The Northern Territory's Health Advisory Committee, chaired by Bilawara Lee, meets with Chief Minister Natasha Fyles. Picture: Bethany Griffiths

Bilawara Lee is a proud Larrakia Elder who has dedicated much of her life to “health and education”.

And her newest role will continue this work, alongside 10 other Territorians, as she heads up the NT’s first Health Advisory Committee.

Ms Lee, who has written a book about Aboriginal healing, said she was excited to bring health concerns from her community straight to those who can act on it.

“Most of my working life has been in health and education so I feel very privileged to be apart of this important group, who hopefully will bring about change, and support the government in making our health system more embracing and better for people,” she said.

“I think we’ve got terrific representation from across the Northern Territory who bring to the table a lot of experience and knowledge and will be excellent advocates for their communities.”

Aunty Bilawara Lee has put her hand up to represent the needs of her community in the health system. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

This representation includes members of the LGBTQI+, disability, mental health and foster care communities, who were selected after expressing interest in joining and being chosen on their lived experiences and skills.

One third of the members identify as Aboriginal.

The group will meet to discuss the concerns of those around them.

“I asked (the group) to get in touch with their community and look at their top three priorities,” she said.

“I really want to get this movement from the grassroots up rather than the top down.

“We need to be like a conduit between the people, the consumers and the government and medical system — we need to be that liaison link.”

Each member will serve on the committee for three years and will be required to attend four meetings each year.

Similar committees will also be established in each of the five regional health service areas.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said by increasing community engagement, positive change could be made within the health system.

“It’s important that we have that consumer and community voice at the table in the space of health so that they provide information and ideas through to the Department of Health who can then enact it in our health system,” she said.

“Often it can be the simplest idea that can be accommodated within the health system, but it makes a great deal of difference to patients and the care they receive.”