Queensland’s community legal centres (CLCs) need to be adequately funded to respond to increased demand, complexity and urgency of legal problems, resulting from COVID-19 and population growth, for vulnerable and disadvantaged people experiencing urgent and complex needs.
This State Budget Investment Proposal includes seven recommendations across four key areas for the expansion of the Queensland Community Legal Services Program, currently funded under the National Legal Assistance Partnership Agreement 2020-2025.
Overall, we recommend the Queensland Government invest an additional $18 million p.a. over three years into Queensland CLCs.
This extensive investment package outlines how this investment in vital social infrastructure will:
- Help meet the increased demand for CLCs in communities across Queensland
- Support Queenslanders pursuing their human rights
- Support legal assistance for domestic and family violence
- Ensure First Nations Queenslanders get the legal help they need through Family Violence Legal Prevention Legal Services
- Address and prevent service delivery gaps by providing more integrated services to Queenslanders
- Help the Queensland understand the legal needs of Queenslanders which can guide future government investment and planning in the legal assistance sector.
Download the State Budget Investment Proposal documents below: