MEDIA RELEASE – Just Reinvest NSW Announces New CEO Ian Brown
REDFERN: Today, Just Reinvest NSW (JR NSW) announced the appointment of new Chief Executive Officer Mr Ian Brown. A Gomeroi man from Moree Mr Brown’s experience spans Aboriginal community-led initiatives, the not-for-profit sector and NSW Government, where he has worked to strengthen Aboriginal participation in decision-making. Mr Brown also brings extensive experience advocating for Aboriginal rights, community authority and self-determination at both community and national levels.
“We’re very pleased to announce Ian Brown as the new CEO that will lead the next phase of justice reinvestment’s development in New South Wales,” said Blake Alan Cansdale, Chair JRNSW.
“I am honoured to lead an Aboriginal-led organisation that has shown what justice reinvestment can achieve in our communities,” said Mr Brown. “The root causes of overincarceration are largely systemic, and so are the solutions. Place-based, community-led and data-driven justice reinvestment, supported by collaborative leadership with government can redirect resources towards prevention, early intervention, and Aboriginal self- determination.”
Before his appointment, Mr Brown was JRNSW’s Head of Advocacy and Engagement. He led JRNSW’s strategic advocacy, government relations, and partnerships with Aboriginal communities. His work focused on removing systemic barriers, influencing policy reform, and securing sustained investment in community-led justice reinvestment. In addition to his work at Just Reinvest NSW, he has also been directly involved in the justice reinvestment community-led initiative in his home community of Moree.
Mr Brown previously held senior roles in the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, where he supported Closing the Gap reforms and advancing Indigenous Data Sovereignty and governance across NSW.
For more information contact James Nichols, M: 0499 686 157 E: james@justreinvest.org.au
Just Reinvest NSW supports Aboriginal communities to explore and establish justice reinvestment initiatives and advocates for systemic changes that build strong, safe and thriving communities. Our goal is to reduce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s interactions with the NSW criminal justice system through Justice Reinvestment.