The Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service has appointed Palawa man Jake Smith as its new CEO.

TALS Chair John Clark said Mr Smith has extensive experience in business and major organisations in Tasmania.

“We are very pleased to announce Jake Smith as our new CEO and to have a Palawa man join the team to lead the legal service for Tasmanian Aboriginal people,” Mr Clark said.

“He comes to us from Australian Red Cross, where he held a variety of roles, including State Director and as Red Cross’ Statewide Community Programs portfolio, which included Justice, First Nations, Mental Health and Aged Care.”

Mr Smith said he was proud to join a team which does incredible work supporting Tasmanian Aboriginal people.

“Every Aboriginal person in Tasmania has the right to access legal representation, we are an inclusive service and work right across the state with all community groups,” Mr Smith said.

“Here in Tasmania, there is still a lot of work to be done in closing the Gap and this will be a continued focus for us.”

Mr Smith is also a Board Member of RSPCA Tasmania and up until recently Connect42.

Prior to working with Red Cross, Mr Smith was the General Manager of the MACq 01 Hotel from 2017-2020, a role he also held prior to the major destination hotel opening in 2016-17.

Mr Smith is a member of the AICD and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Tasmania.

Media contact: A.Mark Thomas, M&M Communications, 0422 006 732