House debates Questions without Notice
Budget, Peel Community Legal Services
Mark Dreyfus Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General
2:58 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Attorney-General. The government is cutting funding for the Peel Community Legal Services, which provide vital front-line legal services to the people of Canning. Will the government provide certainty to the Peel Community Legal Services by matching Labor's commitment to invest $270,000 over three years to provide additional specialist family violence legal services?
Ms Julie Bishop Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
2:59 pm
I thank the member for his question. I point out that the Australian government have been put in a rather difficult situation by inheriting the worst set of financial accounts of any incoming government when we inherited Labor's record debt and deficit, so I know there have been savings across many portfolios. I am not aware of the specific details of this one. I will certainly get advice—
Mr Perrett interjecting—
Ms Julie Bishop Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
from the Attorney-General, and I will come back to the parliament.
Mr Perrett interjecting—
Ms Julie Bishop Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
I do not know about the specific one, but I know that we have been forced to make savings in a number of areas. But the government is absolutely committed to eliminating the scourge of domestic violence across Australia. We will do what we can within the resources available to ensure that we continue the campaign to end domestic violence. As to the specifics, I will come back to you.