First RACH breakfast of 2026: Aged Care Act and palliative care in practice

Michele McLaughlin is a Network Director within the Queensland Local Network of the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. The Queensland Local Network has responsibility for the management of Commonwealth aged care programs across the state and supporting the implementation of aged care reforms. Michele has worked in the Department for over 20 years in both aged care and health roles.

Dr Greg Parker MBBCh FRACGP FAChPM, is Director of the Brisbane South Palliative Care Collaborative, Director Advance Care Planning Australia, Co-Director of Statewide Office of Advance Care Planning and Queensland-wide PallConsult service, Director Statewide Palliative Care Digital Health Support Unit, Director of Metro South Health Advance Care Planning Service and Deputy-Director of the Metro South Palliative Care Service, Metro South Health. He is involved in all aspects of palliative care practice, education, research and service development.

Greg is a senior lecturer with Griffith University and the University of Queensland and an advanced training supervisor with the Royal Australian College of Physicians.

Greg is committed to effective, comprehensive and equitable palliative care service delivery focused on whole person care.

Greg is also a guest speaker at the GP Palliative Care Education Dinner on Thursday evening, 19 February 2026.

Ruth Ikobe RN, BSN, GradDipPallC, MSN, NP (Palliative Care, Aged Care, Adult Health) is a Nurse Practitioner with more than 20 years of experience across aged care, adult health, palliative care and other areas. She takes a holistic approach to care, supporting people’s physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Ruth has led several projects to improve palliative and aged care services, embedding evidence-based care, education, and leadership into her practice. She is currently the Project Lead for the Palliative Care Shared Care government initiative, which aims to strengthen the shared care model between primary care and specialist palliative services.

She was inducted into the Honour Society of Nursing in recognition of her dedication, and in 2021, received the Academic Prize for Excellence in Palliative Care from Flinders University.

Ruth is also an academic registrar at Flinders University, where she teaches and supports future health professionals. She has co-authored a textbook chapter on the role of Advanced Practice Nurses in supporting spiritual needs in palliative care.

She is a member of the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners, American Association of Nurse Practitioners and Palliative Care Queensland.

Ruth is also a guest speaker at the GP Palliative Care Education Dinner on Thursday evening, 19 February 2026.