Queensland Law Society has joined law bodies across the country in signing an open letter to key Commonwealth figures which calls for more support for the legal assistance sector.
The letter, addressed to Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Finance Minister Women Katy Gallagher, Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, and State and Territory Attorneys-General, was issued today by the Law Council of Australia (LCA) on behalf of the profession.
LCA President Greg McIntyre said the profession was calling on all governments to significantly boost support for the sector, which had “suffered greatly under decades of funding neglect” and could not keep up with demand for services.
“Australia’s legal assistance services – Legal Aid Commissions, Community Legal Centres, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services and Family Violence Prevention Legal Services – are designed to be there for members of our community during times of life when they experience significant vulnerability, need, hardship and stress,” Greg said.
“These services provide assistance in so many ways, including providing advice, support and representation to women fleeing harm; those facing discrimination in the workplace; people experiencing elder abuse; and those at risk of homelessness.
“Transformational change is required – and required now – to give these vital services the stability and certainty they need and deserve, and to ensure that access to justice is facilitated for all.”
Read the open letter here.
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