Kristen Wylie named acting-director of Tasmania Legal Aid

Fresh off winning the 2022 Tasmanian Women's Lawyer's Achievement Award, Kristen Wylie has been appointed the acting-director of the organisation.

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The announcement comes after former Tasmania Legal Aid director Vincenzo Caltabiano was appointed as a magistrate in Victoria.

Ms Wylie said the appointment was a wonderful opportunity.

"In a way, it's a natural progression, given the time I've spent with the organisation.

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"I've been with Tasmania Legal Aid for more than 20 years and had a senior management role for all that time.

"Under our most recent director, we've worked together to build a really solid strategic plan that we've been delivering over the last three years."

Ms Wylie said she would focus on continuing the organisation's strategic plan delivery.

"The focus of the current strategic plan are matters that are really dear to my heart, which is children, family violence, and wellbeing and resilience.

"Coming from a family law background, my focus has very much been on children and family violence.

"So I'm really looking forward to continue leading the organisation to achieve the goals under that focus."

Ms Wylie also wanted to help drive Tasmania Legal Aid's next strategic plan.

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"I'm hoping that will be the legacy that I'm able to leave."

Based at the organisation's offices in Burnie, Ms Wylie said that she would perform her role while staying in the North-West.

"It's really important for me to do this role from Burnie.

"I'm always talking about the needs of the people in the North-West, and I think it's really important for a statewide organisation like ours to have leadership in every part of the state."

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Ms Wylie wanted to show Coasters that they could do whatever they wanted.

"You can achieve great things from a regional area."

Ms Wylie praised her predecessor.

"Vincenzo's efforts to give clients a voice is also evident in the creation of TLAs first Reconciliation Action Plan and the establishment of the Rosie Smith Law Scholarship.

"Vincenzo orchestrated the establishment of a client-led Family Violence Reform Group and a First Nations Advisory Group to provide important avenues to help inform service design and delivery. "

Tasmania Legal Aid chair Patrick Lunn believed that Ms Wylie would thrive in her new role.

"Ms Wylie's experience and achievements over two decades are extensive, and we know there will be a seamless transition as the organisation's leader."

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