Login
$2bn granted to Australian legal assistance sector
A new partnership is set to distribute over $2 billion between all states and territories for Commonwealth-funded legal assistance.
Emma Musgrave
The National Legal Assistance Partnership 2020-25 (NLAP) “will provide a significant boost to legal services available to vulnerable Australians, including people affected by domestic violence”.
The $2 billion in funding includes: $1.2 billion in funding for legal aid commissions; $284 million for community legal centres; $441 million for ATSILS; $51 million for domestic violence units/health justice partnerships; $20 million for Family Advocacy and Support Services; and, $20 million for state and territory governments to administer the NLAP.
“The new $2 billion includes additional funding of $248 million over five years. This includes the permanent restoration of $151 million in legal assistance funding that would have been stripped from the legal assistance sector based on decisions of former, consecutive governments,” Mr Porter said.
In addition, the NLAP will improve coordination and flexibility across governments and the sector to keep services in reach of people who need legal assistance, a statement from the Attorney-General’s Department added.
“For the first time, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) [is] included in the agreement. In an acknowledgement that Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations are best placed to deliver culturally safe services within their own communities, the NLAP includes a formal commitment to self‑determination – the first time that these principles have been included within Commonwealth legal assistance arrangements,” the statement read.
“The [government] is committed to ensuring a fair justice system for all, and this agreement ensures our most vulnerable Australians are able to seek legal assistance when they need it,” Mr Porter concluded.
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
Email Emma on:
