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“Our profession is calling on all governments to significantly increase their support for Australia’s legal assistance sector,” Law Council of Australia President, Mr Greg McIntyre SC said.
“Australia’s legal assistance services—Legal Aid Commissions, Community Legal Centres, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services and Family Violence Prevention Legal Services—are designed to be there for members of our community during times of life when they experience significant vulnerability, need, hardship and stress.
“These services provide assistance in so many ways, including providing advice, support and representation to women fleeing harm; those facing discrimination in the workplace; people experiencing elder abuse; and those at risk of homelessness.
“However, our legal assistance sector has suffered greatly under decades of funding neglect and cannot keep up with demand for services. For example, women’s legal services in this country have reported they are having to turn away more than 50,000 women a year.
“The Law Council, on behalf of the profession, has today sent a letter to the Treasurer, Finance Minister and all Attorneys-General expressing our dismay this situation has been allowed to arise and calling on them to address the shortcomings without delay.