New funding for community legal centres (Geraldton)

1/7/04 Western Australians will have better access to legal aid services with the State Government allocating more than $3.

1/7/04
Western Australians will have better access to legal aid services with the State Government allocating more than $3.3million for Community Legal Service (CLC) centres.
The funding will be given to nine metropolitan and regional CLC centres over three years to improve the availability and range of legal aid services in WA.
The Geraldton Resource Centre will receive $258,950 to provide legal services to Carnarvon and surrounding regions such as Burringurrah, Shark Bay and Exmouth.
The funding will allow the organisation to conduct face-to-face outreach visits to remote locations and provide legal support services, particularly in family and civil law.
Attorney General Jim McGinty said the grants would help non-profit organisations continue to provide free legal services to low-income and disadvantaged individuals and groups.
"Community legal centres provide an invaluable service to people who cannot afford to pay for their own legal assistance," Mr McGinty said.
"Many people rely on the services they provide, such as legal advice, assistance, referral, representation, education, advocacy and housing support.
"The State Government funding will help these organisations expand their services and significantly improve access to justice for many Western Australians."
The grants will total more than $1.2million this year, with four centres receiving additional funding to establish new legal services.
Funding amounts for this year are:

  • $308,600 to the Peel Community Legal Service to establish a new community legal centre;
  • $90,350 to the Environmental Defender's Office to establish a bush lawyer outreach service;
  • $248,000 to the Mental Health Law Centre for a comprehensive legal service for mental health consumers;
  • $285,000 for a network of domestic violence services operating through centres in Gosnells, Rockingham and Fremantle;
  • $115,000 in renewed support of the Consumer Credit Legal Service; and
  • $90,000 for the Association of Community Legal Centre's (WA), including development of a management support program.
More than 40 submissions for funding were received from 27 organisations around WA.
Attorney General's Office - 9220 5000