Our Board
Jules Scarlett
Chair
Jules was the Chief Sustainability Officer at Telstra between 2020-2022, as well as Head of Regional Affairs and Government Relations, General Counsel Consumer and Small Business and the Executive Director of InfraCo between 2018-2020.
She has held several National Executive roles at Telstra, including Direct of Customer Experience and Director of Corporate Security and Investigations. Prior, Jules practiced as a lawyer including at Minter Ellison.
Educated at the University of Tasmania, Jules graduated with a Bachelor of Law (Hons) and University Medal Law, as well as with a Bachelor of Arts.
Jules has over two decades of commercial experience, with a specific focus on digital transformation and strategic business development. Her previous commercial experience saw her responsible for development, governance and integration of Telstra's sustainability strategy.
Board Experience includes:
- Independent Director - National Board Surf Life Saving Australia 2023- present; serving on the Board of Australia's largest volunteer organisation with a purpose to save lives, create great Australians and build better communities.
- Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) Board & Audit & Risk Committee 2009–2019: served for 9 years across a key transformation period for the heavily regulated telecommunications sector. One of the architects of the successful consolidation of the TIO Board & Council into a single governing body.
- Telstra Foundation 2020-2022: Ensuring application of appropriate strategy & governance to identification and implementation of philanthropic investment opportunities - enabling change through technology.
- Proquo Pty Ltd Board 2019–2020; on Board of a digital start-up exploring creation of an innovative small business marketplace platform. Gained important liquidation experience through wind up.
Kristen Wylie
Director
Kristen was appointed Director of Tasmania Legal Aid on 15 March 2023.
Kristen graduated from the University of Tasmania in 1993. After 8 years in private practice, Kristen joined Tasmania Legal Aid (TLA) as Manager Family Law Practice- South. In 2004, Kristen was appointed Manager State Family Law Practice, now known as Associate Director Family Law. In October 2022 Kristen was appointed Acting Director of Tasmania Legal Aid and appointed Director in March 2023.
In her role as Associate Director Family Law, Kristen managed the delivery of legally aided family law services across Tasmania.
Kristen has significant experience as both solicitor and counsel; in latter years primarily focusing on Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) matters and family violence matters. An ICL since 2001, Kristen is known for her ability to bring and maintain a child focus, helping parents to resolve matters and working hard to gather all the relevant evidence.
Kristen was a member of the National Legal Aid Family Law Working Group from 2004 to 2023.
In September 2022 Kristen was awarded the Tasmanian Women Lawyers Achievement Award. In February 2023 Kristen was awarded the Law Society of Tasmania President’s Award and in March 2023 was inducted into the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women.
In 2022 Kristen developed and launched TLA’s Independent Children’s Lawyers Practice Standards and Guidelines an Australian first, combining clear practice standards with educative guidelines.
James Hipwood
James holds a Bachelor of Business from the University of Tasmania, is a Certified Practicing Accountant and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
James is currently the General Manager - Finance of Petuna Aquaculture and brings financial, risk management, governance and leadership expertise to the Board.
James has more than 16 years’ business and accounting experience both in Tasmania and the United Kingdom and was previously the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of Tasmanian Irrigation.
Philippa Morgan
Philippa was appointed as the Law Society of Tasmania nominee to the Legal Aid Board in June 2024 for a three-year term.
Philippa graduated from the University of Tasmania with the combined degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law in 2000. Philippa has practiced almost exclusively in criminal law in both defence and prosecution. Working at Tasmania Legal Aid on both the North-West Coast and Hobart for over 10 years, Philippa has a strong knowledge of the workings of the in-house Legal Aid practice. Philippa has been practicing as a barrister since 2014, and in private practice continues to represent legally aided clients.
Philippa has been co-ordinating the ‘Magistrates Court Practice and Advocacy’ unit at the Centre For Legal Studies “Professional Legal Practice Course”, after being involved in the course for a number of years. Philippa has a background in community organisational leadership and is a current board member of the Kingborough Tigers Sporting Club, and a contributor to the Community Advisory Group of the charity ‘Neuroendocrine Cancer Australia’. Philippa is a strong believer in the importance of a well-funded Legal Aid body in the community.
Gavin Wailes
On 15 January 2018, the Minister for Justice appointed Gavin Wailes to the Board. His term was extended for another 3 years on 2 October 2022.
Gavin graduated from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2001, has a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management and is a member of CPA Australia.
Gavin is currently the Acting Director of Finance with the Department of Justice and has previously worked for the Departments of Treasury and Finance, Police, Fire and Emergency Management and for the Tasmania Prison Service in a variety of accounting and management roles.