Beth Walker officially commences her role today as the Northern Territory's inaugural independent Public Guardian, heading up the new Office of the Public Guardian.

Ms. Walker has been appointed to a four-year term following a competitive recruitment process. Ms. Walker temporarily served in the role from July 2016.

 The Public Guardian position and an independent Office were created under the Guardianship of Adults Act, which came into effect on 28 July 2016. Ms. Walker and the Public Guardian team are off to a busy start.

 “The new Act brings with it some big changes to guardianship in the NT, for the better. The team are already seeing improvements in the quality of support we are able to provide our clients and their families. I feel fortunate to have been appointed to this key position and provided the opportunity to influence the development of the Office of the Public Guardian”, says Ms. Walker.

 Ms. Walker has worked in human services in both government and non-government services in the Northern Territory for the past 25 year. She was a member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal for over 16 years, and has represented the Territory at both the local and national level in the areas of disability, aged care, mental health, families, and child protection.

 The Office of the Public Guardian has three locations in the Territory, one in Alice Springs and two in Casuarina. The Office currently manages over 500 clients across the NT. Up to 30 new guardianship applications are submitted each month.

 Ms. Walker recognised the crucial role the Office of the Public Guardian has in the NT.

 “The Northern Territory presents some unique challenges to delivering services and supporting vulnerable members of our community. The independence of the new Office provides us with the ability to advocate more effectively to address these challenges” says, Ms. Walker.

 In addition to providing guardianship, the Office supports NT residents providing guardianship for family members or friends, and advocates and educates on the rights of vulnerable adults.

 “We are working closely with families, communities and service providers to ensure the best quality of life for people with impaired decision-making living in the NT. There is a sense of building a new organisation focused on a stronger, more sustainable framework of guardianship”, Ms. Walker says.

 For more information about the new Guardianship of Adults Act or guardianship in the Northern Territory, contact the Office of the Public Guardian at 1800 810 979 (free call), or by email: Public.guardian@nt.gov.au.