BEATTIE GOVERNMENT GIVES $29,000 FOR NEW BANANA SHIRE LEGAL SERVICE

The Beattie Government has allocated $29,000 to Anglicare Central Queensland to establish a legal advisory service for residents of Banana Shire.

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Linda Lavarch, said the grant would also fund research into the legal needs of residents in more isolated areas of central Queensland including Gladstone, Woorabinda, the Central Highlands and Central West.

The project is one of 44 initiatives worth a total of $1.49 million that have been funded this year from the interest on solicitors’ trust fund accounts.

“In some areas of central Queensland, the impact of the drought has placed pressure on families and resulted in an increase in the need for legal advice and assistance,” Mrs Lavarch said.

“The establishment of the Banana Community Legal Service will mean that residents will now have access to a weekly legal advice and support service.

“Also, this grant will fund 10 community legal education seminars and 10 legal awareness sessions in schools.

“A research program will also determine the legal needs of residents in various areas of central Queensland that have limited access to basic legal advice and help.”

Mrs Lavarch said the Banana Community Legal Service was one of many projects funded this year to improve legal services for vulnerable citizens throughout the state.

“This year’s grants, which range from $1400 to $155,000, have been allocated to organisations that are dedicated to helping those people in the community who are vulnerable to exploitation or harm,” she said.

“One of the State Government’s priorities is to protect the interests of these citizens 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 the Legal Practitioners 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