Wednesday, 21 June 2023

Ministers statements: Disaster Legal Help Victoria

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:12): Today I would like to use my ministers statement as an opportunity to update the house on how Disaster Legal Help Victoria is helping flood-impacted victims navigate their path to recovery. After the water subsides, unfortunately problems big and small do not get washed away as well. In many ways my two portfolios, A-G and emergency services, are complementary. Fundamentally, they are both about helping people, and that is what Disaster Legal Help is all about. Following natural disasters, legal advice referrals and legal case management are critical to helping people understand their rights and legal options. I have seen firsthand just how vital it is to ensure individuals, small businesses and farmers get the legal advice they need so they can focus on their recovery, and this is absolutely more evident when you talk to people who have gone through fires and floods.

In response to the October 2022 floods, the government allocated an initial $7.9 million to ensure flood-affected communities can access this legal support through Disaster Legal Help. This is achieved through a combination of location-based services and statewide specialist legal services, with legal professionals offering on-the-ground assistance with a wide range of matters, including tenancy issues, insurance claims, family law with parenting arrangements and even criminal matters. For example, ARC Justice have been providing free legal advice in northern Victoria, including financial counselling and social work to support flood-impacted renters. This is helping people in private, public or community housing along with those living in temporary housing and former renters who are facing homelessness.

Disaster Legal Help is coordinated through the Federation of Community Legal Centres along with Justice Connect, the Law Institute of Victoria, the Victorian Bar, Victoria Legal Aid and the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service. Together they help connect people from impacted communities with dedicated legal services. This coordinated approach was successfully utilised in response to previous disasters, such as the 2019–20 bushfires, where $7.87 million was provided to support this valuable program. I would like to take the opportunity to thank those involved in Disaster Legal Aid as well as those on-the-ground services who are continuing to ensure people can get back on their feet.

Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:14): I move:

That the minister’s statement be taken into consideration on the next day of meeting.

Motion agreed to.