The NBA Board was created under the National Blood Authority Act 2003 (Cth)(NBA Act)(Opens in a new tab/window). It considers and advises the Chief Executive on key strategic issues in relation to the NBA and the blood sector.
The board does not make decisions or have a direct role in the NBA's governance or day-to-day management.
The board's functions are to:
- consult with the Commonwealth Minister for Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (the minister) about appointing the NBA's Chief Executive
- advise the Chief Executive about how the NBA is performing its role
- liaise with governments, suppliers and others about the NBA’s work
- complete other tasks given by the minister.
Board members also engage with stakeholders to strengthen relationships and promote the role of the NBA, and some may sit on other NBA committees to give their expertise on specific issues.
The minister appoints NBA Board members for a 4-year term.
The Board includes members from:
- Australian and state and territory governments
- experts in public health relating to human blood
- finance and commercial sectors
- the community.
The board usually meets quarterly.
Current NBA Board members
As of April 2026, the NBA Board members are:
- Chair - Vacant
- Australian Government representative - Vacant
- Dr Simon Towler - State and territory representative (small jurisdiction)
- Dr John Rowell – State and territory representative (large jurisdiction)
- Ms Jackie Murphy – Community representative
- Professor Nicola Spurrier PSM – Public health expert
- Peter Lewinsky AM - Financial expert
Board profiles
Chair - Vacant
Australian Government representative - Vacant
Dr Simon Towler - State and Territory Representative (small jurisdiction)
Dr Simon Towler is a Fellow of the College of Intensive Care Medicine, a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, a Certified Health Executive and Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Managers, and a Fellow of the Australian Medical Association.
Dr Towler retired from a 35-year career in tertiary intensive care medicine in 2022. He worked at Royal Perth Hospital for 25 years before joining the commissioning team at Fiona Stanley Hospital, where he oversaw the establishment of 16 clinical services, including intensive care, emergency, acute medical and surgical services, and several specialties that are major users of intravenous immunoglobulin therapies.
Dr Towler is the Western Australian representative on the Jurisdictional Blood Committee and manages the blood and blood products portfolio for the WA Department of Health. He previously served as Western Australia's Chief Medical Officer from 2006 to 2012, during which time he was also a member of the Jurisdictional Blood Committee and the Clinical Technical and Ethics Principal Committee.
A longstanding contributor to Australia's blood sector, Dr Towler worked closely with the National Blood Authority in its formative years, co-chaired the inaugural Haemovigilance Working Group, chaired the NBA's Patient Blood Management Committee, and played a key role in developing the original evidence-based Patient Blood Management Guidelines. He also led Western Australia's Patient Blood Management Program, which achieved significant reductions in blood product use, improved patient outcomes and delivered substantial savings to the health system.
Dr Towler remains a strong advocate for best-practice patient blood management and has contributed to significant peer-reviewed publications in the field. He has been a strong supporter of the reforms arising from the 2001 Stephen's Review, which led to the establishment of the National Blood Authority and Australia's National Blood Agreement. He is optimistic that the current review of the sector's governance arrangements will help ensure Australians continue to have equitable access to a safe and sustainable blood supply into the future.
Dr Towler was appointed to the Board in September 2025.
Dr John Rowell – State and Territory Representative (large jurisdiction)
Dr John Rowell graduated in medicine from Monash University and underwent further training in haematology at the Geelong, Alfred and Royal Prince Alfred hospitals. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia.
Dr Rowell was appointed as a haematologist at the Royal Brisbane Hospital in 1984. He later became Director of Haematology at Pathology Queensland and Director of the Haemophilia Centre at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Dr Rowell has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Queensland and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Dr Rowell’s major interests are in haemophilia and other bleeding disorders, genetic diagnosis and transfusion. He has been a member of the Council of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion, Chairman of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) Transfusion Quality Assurance Program, and an examiner in haematology for the RCPA.
Dr Rowell was awarded the Ruth Sanger medal by the Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion in 2008.
Dr Rowell was appointed to the NBA Board in June 2023.
Ms Jackie Murphy – Community Representative
Jackie Murphy is the community representative on the National Blood Authority Board. She brings lived experience and national policy expertise in immunoglobulin therapy and primary immunodeficiency, along with a strong understanding of how patients and donors interact with the broader blood sector. Since 2007, Jackie has spent time in blood donor centres observing whole blood, platelet, and apheresis collection, speaking with donors and staff, and gaining practical insight into the donor experience and the processes that support Australia's blood supply. She remains humbled by the generosity of the people whose donations help keep Australians who rely on blood and blood products, alive and as well as possible.
Jackie serves on the National Immunoglobulin Governance Advisory Committee and the NBA Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin (SCIg) Implementation Working Group. As President of AusPIPS, a patient-led and patient-focused national organisation, she is recognised for her collaborative approach and commitment to evidence-based, workable solutions that improve outcomes for people who rely on blood products.
Jackie Murphy was appointed to the NBA Board as the community representative in April 2026.
Professor Nicola Spurrier PSM – Public Health Expert
Professor Nicola Spurrier PSM is the Chief Public Health Officer for the South Australian Department for Health and Wellbeing, appointed in 2019. The Chief Public Health Officer is responsible for statewide preventive health activities, including the identification and management of communicable diseases. Professor Spurrier’s role includes advising the minister and the Chief Executive of SA Health about proposed legislative or administrative changes in relation to population health.
Professor Spurrier specialises in developing and implementing policies and programs across child health, obesity prevention and Aboriginal health. She also has extensive experience in health protection and promotion, public health partnership and health diplomacy activities.
Professor Spurrier is a dual-qualified medical specialist, public health physician and paediatrician, with 32 years of experience within SA Health, including 13 years in the Department for Health and Wellbeing.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Spurrier was instrumental in South Australia’s effective virus response. She continues to take a personal interest in the health and wellbeing of every South Australian.
Professor Spurrier was appointed to the NBA Board in June 2023.
Peter Lewinsky AM - Financial Expert
Mr Lewinsky brings over 30 years of leadership experience as Chair and member of Boards and Audit and Risk and other governance committees across the private sector, ASX-listed and private companies, government organisations, and not-for-profits. Mr Lewinsky is currently on the Boards of Healthdirect Limited, Early Childhood Management Systems, Holmesglen Foundation and Emmy Monash Aged Care. He recently concluded Board positions on Ambulance Victoria and Chair of TAL Superannuation and has served on community-based boards, including Australian Red Cross Society and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.
Mr Lewinsky provides strategic guidance on governance, financial management, planning, stakeholder engagement, and government relations. He has advised companies and government bodies on governance structures, audit committees and compliance frameworks. Mr Lewinsky expertise extends to financial oversight, project management, organisational reviews, and procurement processes.
Mr Lewinsky is also the Board representative member of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Mr Lewinsky was appointed to the Board in November 2024.
Last updated: 08 Sep 2026