Tuesday, 16 May 2023

Community legal services

Katherine COPSEY (Southern Metropolitan) (14:17): In the federal budget delivered last week I was astounded that it seemed more important to the government to trumpet that a surplus was delivered than actually using that surplus to fund essential services crying out for support. I was astounded because the lack of new money for community-controlled Aboriginal legal services means that those services will begin to close their books to new clients across the country from 1 July if the funding crisis they face is not addressed. Investment in these services prevents problems escalating, improves outcomes for people and saves government money over the long term. Investing in the community legal sector returns an investment of $18 for every $1 spent.

Lack of action from the federal budget means that the attention on the Victorian budget is now sharp. Chronically underfunded centres need significant additional funding now. In the same fortnight we saw a number of Victorian ministers appearing before the Yoorrook Justice Commission apologising for a number of issues affecting First Nations people, including – terribly – confirmation of yet another death in Victorian custody. Will we also see a state budget delivered that will mean Aboriginal legal services may need to close their books to new clients? With less than six weeks to go, I implore the Council to encourage the government and the Attorney-General to ensure community legal services in general and Aboriginal legal services in particular are funded to keep their doors open for new clients.