Jason Allan Takes Helm of ALS NSW/ACT

Zak Kirkup Published September 8, 2023 at 2.45pm (AWST)

news

Newly elected Chair of the ALS NSW/ACT, Jason Allan. Credit: ALS NSW/ACT

Jason Allan, a Kamilaroi and Ngunnawal man and seasoned advocate has been elected as the new Chairperson of the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (ALS). This monumental election took place in Tweed Heads on August 25, following the departure of former Chairperson Mark Davies.

Allan, taking on the new role, stated, "I look forward to continuing the fight for social justice and equity as Chairperson of Australia's oldest Aboriginal Legal Service."

The ALS also praised Davies for his three-year tenure as Chairperson and five-year service as an ALS Director. Davies will remain involved as an ALS Member.

As the first free legal assistance service in Australia, the ALS NSW/ACT is part of a 50-plus-year legacy of resistance, resilience, and solidarity which started off in Redfern. Today made up of over 250 staff across 23 locations throughout NSW and the ACT.

Since its inception in 1970, the organisation has widely been considered a trailblazer in the legal fraternity, laying the foundation for today's network of community legal centres across the country.

With a long history that intertwines with the Indigenous resistance against the injustices of colonization, the ALS has long stood as a beacon for community-controlled organizations designed, delivered, and led by Aboriginal people.

Allan is well-equipped for this momentous task, having served on various governmental bodies during his 25-year career. Currently, the Chief Executive Officer of the Walhallow Local Aboriginal Land Council and a Councillor on the Liverpool Plains Shire Council, Allan's previous experience includes roles at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) and Aboriginal Hostels Canberra.

Allan's extensive experience and leadership capabilities position him well to steer the ALS into its next chapter. His election is seen as a continuation of a long-standing commitment by the organisation which remains crucial in addressing the myriad of legal and social issues facing Indigenous communities in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.