BEATTIE GOVERNMENT GIVES $15,000 FOR MIGRATION ADVICE SERVICE FOR REDCLIFFE, CABOOLTURE AND STRATHPINE

The Beattie Government has allocated $15,000 to the Peninsula Community Legal Service to provide a migration advice and information service for Redcliffe, Caboolture and Strathpine regions.

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Linda Lavarch, said the new service, which was funded for three years, would help residents who were unable to afford professional agents’ fees.

Mrs Lavarch, who also is the Member for Kurwongbah, said Redcliffe, Caboolture and Strathpine residents currently had to go to South Brisbane for advice and information about immigration issues.

The announcement was strongly welcomed by the Member for Redcliffe Lillian van Litsenburg and the Member for Glass House Carolyn Male.

Ms Male said the new service would significantly improve residents' ability to access information and advice.

"It will also ease the demands on the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service at South Brisbane,” Ms van Litsenburg said.

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