Tasmania’s struggling legal centres have been thrown a lifeline by the state government, with a cash package to maintain their funding levels included in Thursday’s budget.
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On Tuesday, The Examiner reported that centres like the Launceston Community Legal Centre would be forced to reduce staff due to impending funding cuts to apply from July 1.
Funding for centres across Australia is set to decrease annually, which last year prompted state and territory attorney-generals to band together and write to federal Attorney-General George Brandis expressing concerns.
Tasmanian Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin has revealed the state budget will include almost $500,000 to assist Legal Aid and Community Legal Centres with meeting the funding shortfall.
“We continue to talk to the Commonwealth government about their ongoing support for the legal assistance sector,” Dr Goodwin said.
“The additional funding in the state budget means overall funding for CLCs is maintained at the same level as previous years, ensuring CLCs can maintain staffing levels and continue to provide the same level of service.
“The government will also work closely with CLCs and the LACT throughout the year to improve community awareness about the legal assistance services that are available in Tasmania and how to access them.”
The funding is on top of that provided under the National Partnership Agreement on Legal Assistance Services, and $300,000 in funding announced as part of the government’s Family Violence Action Plan.
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