House debates

Monday, 23 February 2015

Statements by Members

Bendigo Electorate: Community Legal Centres

4:19 pm

Photo of Lisa ChestersLisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I call on the government to commit to funding community legal centres, particularly those in regional Victoria. I call on the government today to provide secure funding to ensure the future of the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre as well as that of the adjacent Goulbourn Valley Community Legal Centre.

These community legal centres rely on critical Commonwealth funding to deliver legal services to some of the most disadvantaged members of our community. These programs include supporting separated families, through the services of the family relationship centre, to help them access and understand family law in such a difficult period.

This funding is modest. Right now, what the centre is seeking is for the government to commit to $207,000 for both services. This is quite modest when you consider the overall budget that this government has. These particular services help people every day. Every day, my office is contacted by people in need of access to justice, and they need that first step—that first advice. We always refer them to our local Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre. The particular programs that they fund support a number of vulnerable people—a number of people at risk, particularly women who might be seeking support in a situation of family violence. I call on the government to recommit funding to these services.