QIP Board leadership changes

At the QIP Board meeting held on Friday 12 December, a number of key Board changes were confirmed as part of QIP’s commitment to strong, forward-focused governance.

• Mr Gary Smith AM has stepped down from the role of Chair and will remain on the Board as an independent Director
• Ms Jo Watson has been appointed as the Chair of the QIP Board.
• Mr Phillip Bain has stepped down from the Board, with a new Director to be appointed in early 2026.

Mr Gary Smith AM

Mr Gary Smith AM has served as QIP Chair since 2011, providing steady and insightful leadership through a period of significant growth and sector evolution.

He has been a guiding force in strengthening QIP’s role across health, community and human services. As a long-standing Independent Director of AGPAL since 2006 and a respected leader in medical administration, operations and general practice management, Mr Smith brings deep sector knowledge and a wealth of governance experience.

Widely regarded for his strategic focus and authentic leadership style, he is also known for his approachability and genuine commitment to building capability in others. In 2023, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of his outstanding service to the health sector – a fitting acknowledgement of his expertise and contribution.

QIP extends its sincere thanks to Mr Smith for his exceptional leadership and longstanding commitment. His influence has left a lasting legacy, and we are pleased to retain his valued expertise on the QIP Board as AGPAL’s representative.

We warmly congratulate him on his appointment as Chair of the AGPAL Board and look forward to his continued contributions across the AGPAL Group of Companies.

Ms Jo Watson

QIP is delighted to confirm the appointment of Ms Jo Watson to Chair of the QIP Board.

Ms Watson brings an outstanding record of leadership in health consumer advocacy, policy reform and evidence-based governance, alongside deep experience across national and international health systems.

She has served as a director on both the QIP and AGPAL Boards and has been a strong advocate for community-based and consumer-centred approaches to health care throughout her career. Her appointment as Chair reflects QIP’s ongoing commitment to strong, inclusive and forward-focused governance that keeps consumer perspectives at the heart of quality and safety

Ms Watson is widely recognised as a leading voice in the Australian health consumer movement. She was appointed to the Board of the Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) in 2012 and served as Deputy Chair from 2014 to 2024. She continues to contribute to national policy development, particularly in areas related to equitable access to medicines and public health innovation.

Her governance credentials are formidable. From 1998 to 2014, Ms Watson was Executive Director of the National Association of People with HIV Australia. She served as the consumer nominee on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Pricing Authority from 2002 to 2012, followed by her appointment to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, where she was named the first Deputy Chair in 2017. She also chairs the Department of Health’s Health Technology Assessment Consumer Consultative Committee, established in 2016.

QIP warmly congratulates Ms Watson on her appointment and looks forward to her continued leadership and contribution in advancing quality, safety and innovation across the health and community sectors.

Mr Phillip Bain

QIP extends its sincere thanks to Mr Phillip Bain, who has stepped down from the QIP Board after more than a decade of valued service.

Mr Bain joined the Board in 2013 following the merger that played a key role in QIP’s formation, having served as Chair of Quality Improvement and Community Services Accreditation, one of the merging entities. Since then, he has provided steady and thoughtful guidance in shaping QIP’s strategic direction and continuous improvement in supporting health and community organisations across Australia.

Drawing on many years of hands-on experience in community and primary health, including as Chief Executive of Plenty Valley Community Health and Your Community Health, both in Victoria, Mr Bain brought a practical and grounded perspective to the Board. His understanding of the real-world challenges facing service providers enriched discussions and decision-making.

Beyond QIP, Mr Bain has contributed widely through leadership roles with Northern Health, multicultural and disability services, public housing support, and as a former Councillor, Mayor, and Victorian Multicultural Commissioner.

We thank Mr Bain for his intelligent, generous advice and contribution to improving outcomes for the communities we serve. His considered judgement has been greatly valued, and we wish him every success in the future.