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CLC funding in NSW gets significant boost
Following a review of the state government’s support of community legal centres, NSW will direct more funds to CLCs to better improve access to justice.
Jerome Doraisamy
The Berejiklian government has unveiled a $44 million “future fund”, the interest from which will further strengthen the state’s community legal centres, according to NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman.
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Mr Speakman said the “innovative plan”, which would provide a significant funding boost to the legal assistance sector, was designed to address areas of greatest legal need using a stable and accounting funding model for CLCs.
“Last year, the NSW government acted to save CLCs from a threatened cut in Commonwealth funding with a $6 million rescue package. Now, the government is further strengthening access to justice for those who need it most, including domestic violence survivors and our seniors,” he said.
“More than 50,000 vulnerable people across NSW rely on CLCs for help on myriad issues including domestic violence, debt, tenancy disputes and the care and protection of children.”
From 2019–20, CLCs will receive almost $12 million per annum in state funding, he continued, marking an increase of more than 85 per cent from 2015–16.
This will be on top of discretionary payments from the Public Purpose Fund, which for this coming financial year is $2.4 million.
“This reform will result in transparent and targeted funding to CLCs based on evidence of legal need, allowing critical gaps in legal assistance to be addressed. The new arrangements will also bring certainty and stability to CLCs,” Mr Speakman said.
“A new three-year funding cycle commencing in 2019–20 will enable CLCs to provide certainty to the communities they serve and to their dedicated lawyers and staff.”
The announcement follows the review commissioned by the state government by NSW Law Reform Commission chair Alan Cameron AO, and the implementation of the “overwhelming majority of recommendations made” by Mr Cameron about increased access to justice, including improved funding for CLCs.
The Australian Pro Bono Centre welcomed the announcement, in particular the recognition of a need for adequate resources for CLCs and an acknowledgement of the importance of volunteers and pro bono partnerships.
“For CLCs to take full advantage of the available pro bono support, they often need to provide coordination, training, supervision and other support. This cost is often underestimated and unrecognised,” said Australian Pro Bono Centre CEO John Corker.
“With many firms being reliant on their ability to partner with CLCs to deliver their pro bono services, it’s important to have a formal recognition of the cost to firms and CLCs of establishing and maintaining these partnerships.”
The announcement follows our coverage of how innovation is changing the game for CLCs.
