BEATTIE GOVERNMENT GIVES $64,000 TO SOUTH BRISBANE REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT LEGAL SERVICE

The Beattie Government has allocated more than $64,000 to the Refugee and Immigrant Legal Service (RAILS) for three projects that will help refugee and migrant communities throughout Queensland.

Attorney-General Linda Lavarch and Member for South Brisbane Anna Bligh, the Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure, said the funding would allow RAILS to expand services in regional areas as well to continue its existing services.

The three projects are among 44 initiatives worth a total of $1.49 million that have been funded this year from the interest generated by solicitors’ trust fund accounts.

The RAILS grants are:

• $40,800 to employ a part-time staff member to continue its outreach service in Cairns as well as to explore other service needs in regional Queensland.
• $14,700 to an existing RAILS service that offers legal help to new refugees and temporary protection visa holders trying to reunite with their families. A part-time worker will be employed to provide legal advice about refugee family reunions, develop training materials for volunteer migration agents, and work with other agencies operating in this area.
• $9,000 to strengthen legal support for migrant victims of domestic violence.

Mrs Lavarch said the need for legal support for refugees and migrants was increasing, given the growth of refugee and migrant populations in Queensland.

“RAILS is the only specialist free provider of legal advice for refugee and immigration law in Queensland,” she said.

Ms Bligh said RAILS’ expertise had been recognised with the awarding of three grants to the organisation for community legal services.

“This funding will allow RAILS to continue an education, awareness and advice program targeting migrant domestic violence victims,” she said.

Mrs Lavarch said the RAILS grants were just three of many initiatives funded this year that would improve legal services for vulnerable citizens throughout the state.

“This year’s grants, which range from $1,400 to $155,000, have been allocated to organisations that are dedicated to helping some of the most vulnerable people in our community,” she said.

“It is important to protect the interests of vulnerable people and ensure that they have access to the same level of legal services as the general community, regardless of their location or situation.”

The grants are funded through theLegal Practitioner Interest on Trust Accounts Fund, which is administered by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.

Media inquiries: Paul Holmes, Linda Lavarch’s office, 3239 6400 or 0407 378 796