MEET THE

SPEAKERS

The Hon. Emma McBride MP

Assistant Minister, Mental Health & Suicide Prevention

Assistant Minister, Rural & Regional Health

Emma McBride is the Federal Member for the electorate of Dobell, on the Central Coast of NSW and was elected in 2016. After the 2019 election Emma was appointed Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Shadow Assistant Minister for Carers. Emma was the Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives Select Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in 2021. Following the 2022 election, Emma McBride was appointed Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health. After the 2025 election, Emma McBride was reappointed to these portfolios.

Emma worked in health for over 20 years, both in Australia and abroad. She was a Specialist Mental Health Pharmacist and the Chief Pharmacist at Wyong Hospital, and prior to her election to Parliament, was the Deputy Director of Pharmacy for Central Coast Local Health District.

Emma’s background in a range of health care settings provides a unique platform to promote better health services for both her local area and the broader community.

Emma is a passionate advocate for quality healthcare, close to home. Emma recognises the unique challenges facing rural and regional communities in accessing health care and hopes to help shape public policy that promotes the health and wellbeing of all Australians, regardless of where they live.

Adjunct Professor Nicole Turner

2026 NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year

Nicole is a proud Kamilaroi woman. She has dedicated her 30+ year career to Aboriginal health and well-being across NSW as a qualified Aboriginal Health Worker, Enrolled Nurse and Community Nutritionist.

Nicole is the 2026 NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year. She is the CEO of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AHMRC) which is the Peak body in NSW, working closely with the Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health sector in NSW. In addition, Nicole is the current IAHA Chairperson, and has served on the IAHA Board for over 10 years. Nicole is an Adjunct Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Canberra, her work on topics such as food security have been published in research papers and national and international journals.

As a mother of 4 and grandmother of 6, Nicole is dedicated to making an impact that will support future generations to thrive.

Associate Professor Geoff Argus

Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner, Allied Health

Associate Professor Geoff Argus was born and raised on the Darling Downs in Queensland. He is an Associate Professor in Rural Health at The University of Queensland (UQ) and is currently the Director of Rural Health with the UQ Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. Prior to this appointment, Associate Professor Argus led the development and expansion of Southern Queensland Rural Health (SQRH), a University Department of Rural Health supporting the Darling Downs and South West Queensland regions.

He is a Clinical Psychologist by professional background with postgraduate qualifications in Clinical Psychology and Public Health and is a Fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists. Associate Professor Argus has worked across regional, rural and remote Australia for over 20 years, holding leadership positions in public, private and not-for-profit health and community care and the higher education sector. He is nationally recognised as a leader in rural health and has served as a Board Director with the Australian Rural Health Education Network (ARHEN) and as Deputy Chair of the National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) Board. Associate Professor Argus provides expert advice to the National Rural Health Commissioner on improving access to health services, training, and education with a focus on Allied Health and First Nations Health.

The Hon. Pat Conaghan MP

Federal Member for Cowper

Pat is the Shadow Assistant Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Financial Services and Federal Member for the electorate of Cowper which runs from Coffs Harbour down to Port Macquarie. Elected in 2019, he has proudly represented his constituents on the Mid North Coast of NSW for the past 7 years.

Born and raised in Kempsey, the youngest of five children and the son of a local doctor, Pat learned the importance of caring for community and helping those with health and social disadvantage challenges. Pat began his working life as a police officer in his hometown, before progressing to the rank of Detective and moving to Sydney where he worked in the Drug Enforcement Agency for five years while simultaneously completing his Law degree. Upon completion of his degree, Pat advanced to the ranks of Police Force Prosecutor where he worked for four years.

Prior to running for election, Pat ran his own successful small businesses, three law practices specialising in defence law and immigration. Based on his up bringing and career experiences before entering politics, Pat’s goal is to represent the needs of the average Australian, making it easier for them to get ahead and removing unnecessary barriers to the betterment of families, businesses, communities and our economy. He is passionate about seeing regional communities grow and thrive and will always fight for a fair-go for all Australians.