BEATTIE GOVERNMENT $43,000 GRANT WILL PROVIDE NEW LEGAL ADVICE SERVICE FOR WOMEN IN TOWNSVILLE REGION

The Beattie Government has allocated $43,000 to the North Queensland Women’s Legal Service to fund a legal outreach and education program for women Indigenous elders and women from non-English-speaking backgrounds.

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Linda Lavarch, said the grant would allow the legal service to hire a part-time solicitor to provide legal advice and assistance to women from its Townsville office.

The announcement was today welcomed by the Member for Townsville, Mike Reynolds, the Member for Mundingburra, Lindy Nelson-Carr, and the Member for Thuringowa, Craig Wallace.

“Women who are Indigenous elders and women from non-English-speaking backgrounds are often socially and financially disadvantaged,” Mrs Lavarch said.

“With this funding, the North Queensland Women’s Legal Service will employ a part-time solicitor who will service Townsville and surrounding legal areas such as Ingham, Cardwell, Ayr, Mackay and Charters Towers.

“The solicitor will provide general legal education seminars for larger groups as well as direct legal advice to women with specific issues, particularly family law and family violence.

“Brochures, posters and other information materials will also be produced to help raise awareness among north Queensland women about legal systems and processes.”

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

Mrs Lavarch said this was one 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