IN THE space of a month, Windsor’s Community Legal Centre has gone from a shaky future outlook to one that is much more secure.
The federal government has backflipped on a planned move to cut some funding to the centres from July 1, a move welcomed by Labor Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman.
Western Sydney CLC, of which Windsor’s centre is a part, was set to receive reduced funding from the federal government from this year, however, the state government originally came to the rescue, vowing no CLC would be worse off.
Now, the federal government has joined the party, and announced “new” money to the tune of $39 million over three years to CLCs, with a further $16.7 million to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services across the country.
Ms Templeman applauded the decision, however, lamented the fact a vocal campaign from the CLCs and Labor was needed to change the federal government’s mind.
"This should be good news for the Hawkesbury Community Legal Centre, and I look forward to hearing how they will benefit from the backdown by the Government," Ms Templeman said.
"Attorney-General George Brandis had been planning to cut legal centre funding by 30 per cent, which would have hit the local community incredibly hard, resulting in the loss of free legal advice for some of our most vulnerable local residents.”
The state government has confirmed it will commit funds to New South Wales’ CLCs.
NSW attorney general Mark Speakman said funds would still go to CLCs, however, said a review of how much would be taken, in light of the federal government’s announcement.
“We remain committed to providing an extra $6 million in state funding for NGO access to justice services in NSW in 2017-18 and 2018-19,” he said.
“We continue to guarantee that no NSW CLC will have its total public funding cut in 2017-18. Subject to that, we will decide the allocation of the extra $6 million after we have the full details of the federal government’s announcement and we have undertaken a review to ensure our money is allocated to where it has the most impact.”
Federal attorney general George Brandis QC made the announcement to reverse the government’s decision on Monday, April 24.
He did not actually touch on the government’s original plan to cut 30 per cent of funding to CLCs.
“We are prioritising the payment of the $39 million of additional funding to women's and domestic and family violence services,” he said.
“The growing public awareness of the issue has seen a parallel increase in people coming forward needing help. That is why the Turnbull Government is giving this new funding to community legal centres to enable them to continue to give the help they need to distressed women and children.
“As well, we are announcing...the Government has made an additional investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services of some $16.7 million over the next three years.”
Senator Brandis congratulated state governments for stepping up to fill the funding void.
“I welcome recent announcements made by some of my state counterparts to increase their states' contribution to community legal centres,” he said.
“I take this opportunity to call on my other state and territory colleagues to consider the important work that these services undertake so that when they consider their state budgets, they may get consideration to increasing their contribution as well.”
Ms Templeman added that while pleased the federal government had changed its mind, she said more funding should be provided.
“Community Legal Services are an important resource for the community, helping people with a range of things that often overlap like advice on, family violence, mistreatment by employers, tenancy issues, child support and fines,” Ms Templeman said.
