Luke Martin to take on new job in Labor leader Dean Winter’s office

After the surprise announcement Luke Martin was leaving Salmon Tasmania the big question was where is he going. Read about his new job.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Salmon Tasmania CEO Luke Martin after touring the Tassal processing facility at Barretta. Picture: Chris Kidd

The outgoing head of Salmon Tasmania, Luke Martin, is returning to his old stomping ground of politics.

Labor leader Dean Winter has confirmed that Mr Martin will take on a position in his office.

“With over 20 years of experience across Tasmanian business and industry, Luke has proven to be a powerful advocate for workers across the state,” he said.

“I’m excited to welcome him to my team as Labor builds momentum and backs in jobs and the regional industries which support them.”

It is believed Mr Martin will replace economist Richard Dowling who is set to become a senator after securing second spot on Labor’s Senate ticket for the May 3 election.

Mr Winter and Mr Martin met when both were heading peak industry bodies and are good friends.

Politics Federal Budget 2003 Luke Martin executive member of the Australian Young Labor left and Jonno Duniam Tasmanian Liberal Students Club president debate the budget.

Salmon Tasmania announced on Friday that Mr Martin was stepping down as CEO and would be replaced by Dr John Whittington, the former Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, and current CEO of the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre.

Mr Martin declined to comment on his appointment.

He had his first political appointment as a 19-year-old in the office of the late Labor Premier Jim Bacon and also worked as an adviser to former Premier Paul Lennon and former Treasurer Michael Aird.

In a post on social media he said he had left the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania after more than 12 years in an “industry I had grown up in, to join an industry I knew very little about, had zero experience in, but valued greatly for what I could see it meant to Tasmanian communities I cared deeply about”.

Luke Martin in his former role as CEO of the Tourism and Industry Council Tasmania. Picture: Linda Higginson

“I wanted the challenge of seeing if i could be successful and effective in a totally different space,” Mr Martin wrote.

“I’ll leave it to others to judge how successful I have been in this role, but from my perspective the Macquarie Harbour situation has been the most challenging process I have ever been a part of, and having now secured a resolution for the industry and the workers, it is an opportunity to go out on a high.

“Between tourism and salmon, I have been in very high profile public roles for close to 15 years, and it’s now time to try something new.

“I’m also thrilled the industry has been able to secure someone of John Whittington’s calibre to step in and take the industry forward.

“I couldn’t imagine a better person to take on the role.”

Originally published as Luke Martin to take on new job in Labor leader Dean Winter’s office