Julia Gillard has been appointed a board member of the mental health awareness organisation beyondblue, the health minister, Peter Dutton, announced on Thursday.
The former prime minister has worked for the thinktank the Brookings Institution on global education since Labor lost the 2013 federal election.
The chairman of beyondblue, the former Victorian Liberal premier Jeff Kennett, welcomed the appointment, saying it reflected the spirit of bipartisanship that exists within the organisation.
“We are particularly honoured that Julia Gillard has seen fit to join our organisation as we continue to serve those in the community suffering depression and anxiety and who are at risk of suicide.
“Julia Gillard will not only bring a great deal of experience to our board, but importantly the passion for the sector that drove her in government to establish the national disability insurance scheme, which if professionally and compassionately introduced could be the most important social reform of the century.
“For many of those who suffer disability, and their carers, depression can be an ever-present condition. Julia Gillard has always been a kindred soul of our work.
“So much of the success of beyondblue has been that it has received bipartisan support from politicians and governments since its inception in 2000. Gillard’s appointment only reinforces that bipartisanship.”
Dutton said the government was looking forward to working with beyondblue in reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness: “The former prime minister has a lengthy record of public service to the country and will bring her considerable experience to the organisation.”
Gillard said: “As the daughter of a psychiatric nurse, I have always understood the need to talk openly about mental health and respond to those in need.
“In government, I was proud to extend services to help and treat young people battling depression and other conditions. Like Jeff, I believe the NDIS has great potential to assist those in our community who face the most profound mental health challenges.
“In my life now, I am delighted to be able to continue to make a contribution in an area I feel so passionately about by joining beyondblue.”
The board ratified Gillard’s appointment last week and she will attend her first board meeting in February.
