BEATTIE GOVERNMENT GIVES $27,000 FOR NEW GOODNA LEGAL SERVICE

The Beattie Government has allocated $27,700 to the West Moreton Migrant Resource Service to provide a community legal information and education program for residents in the Goodna area.

Attorney-General Linda Lavarch and Member for Bundamba, Jo-Ann Miller, said the grant would fund information sessions about the Australian legal system for at least 300 residents, including non-English-speaking migrants.

It also will pay for two part-time workers to manage the project.

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.

“Through its work at the Goodna Neighbourhood House, the West Moreton Migrant Resource Service has found that residents are seeking more information about our legal processes, particularly criminal and family law,” Jo-Ann Miller said.

“The State Government grant will fund 20 sessions for residents along the corridor between Inala and Ipswich – an area that has significant numbers of migrants from the South Sea Islands, south-east Asia, Africa, eastern Europe and the Middle East.”

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