State Budget 2011-12: Supporting our Community - Boost in Legal Aid funding

Attorney General Christian Porter today announced an $11.6million funding increase over four years for legal aid services in Western Australia.

Mr Porter said the additional funding would be directed towards additional duty lawyer services provided by Legal Aid WA, and increase the pool of funds available for people seeking assistance with legal representation.

"This funding increase is the biggest Legal Aid WA has received in more than a decade," Mr Porter said.

"It means Legal Aid WA can employ an additional 10 duty lawyers at Magistrate's Courts across Western Australia. For most people appearing in a criminal court, their first access to a lawyer is usually through the duty lawyer service.

"Half of these new lawyers will be based in regional WA, with Carnarvon due to benefit from the first full-time presence of a Legal Aid lawyer."

The funding increase also includes $1.566million in 2011-12 to be made available for people requiring assistance to fund the services of a lawyer, with an emphasis being placed on helping people facing serious charges in the Magistrate's Courts.

"This major increase in funding for Legal Aid WA emphasises the Liberal-National Government's serious approach to helping West Australians get access to justice," the Attorney General said.