Published Wednesday, 15 November, 2006 at 03:00 PM

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
More Queenslanders get free legal assistance
Legal Aid Queensland provided increased levels of free legal assistance to Queenslanders last financial year, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said today.
Mr Shine said according to the organisation’s 2005-06 annual report, 238,462 people were given immediate assistance through Legal Aid Queensland’s Client Information Services call centre last financial year – an increase of more than 10,000 on 2004-05.
The call centre assisted 228,433 people in 2004-05.
“Legal Aid Queensland’s call centre has successfully responded to a strong demand for its services by continuing to provide its state-wide free telephone information and advice service,” Mr Shine said.
“All Queenslanders — irrespective of where they live — can access this service for the cost of a local call.”
Legal Aid Queensland’s Client Information Services call centre can be contacted on 1300 651 188 (local call costs apply).
“In addition, 50,065 people received free legal advice from a solicitor by telephone or video conference, and 32,653 applications for legal aid were approved in 2005-06,” Mr Shine said.
Legal Aid Queensland is funded by government to provide legal help for disadvantaged Queenslanders.
More than 400 staff work through the State in offices at Brisbane, Bundaberg, Caboolture, Cairns, Inala, Ipswich, Mackay, Maroochydore, Mt Isa, Rockhampton, Southport, Toowoomba, Townsville and Woodridge.
Other achievements by Legal Aid Queensland in 2005-06 included:
• ensuring more than 60,000 children and adults were represented by a duty lawyer in Magistrates and Children’s Courts
• establishing a program to improve Indigenous clients’ access to family law conferencing
• representing more than 400 clients under a committals pilot, which aims to reduce the high costs of administering criminal justice by resolving matters at an early stage in the lower courts
• representing more than 2800 children and young people and providing advice to a further 1400
• playing a lead role in preparing for major changes to the family law system, and
• providing face-to-face and telephone legal advice services to victims of Cyclones Larry and Monica.
Legal Aid Queensland’s annual report can be downloaded at www.legalaid.qld.gov.au
15 November 2006
Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Attorney-General’s office) 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350 Kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au
More information:
Legal Aid Queensland - Miranda Greer (07) 3238 3004 or Amanda Catania (07) 3238 3392
Mr Shine said according to the organisation’s 2005-06 annual report, 238,462 people were given immediate assistance through Legal Aid Queensland’s Client Information Services call centre last financial year – an increase of more than 10,000 on 2004-05.
The call centre assisted 228,433 people in 2004-05.
“Legal Aid Queensland’s call centre has successfully responded to a strong demand for its services by continuing to provide its state-wide free telephone information and advice service,” Mr Shine said.
“All Queenslanders — irrespective of where they live — can access this service for the cost of a local call.”
Legal Aid Queensland’s Client Information Services call centre can be contacted on 1300 651 188 (local call costs apply).
“In addition, 50,065 people received free legal advice from a solicitor by telephone or video conference, and 32,653 applications for legal aid were approved in 2005-06,” Mr Shine said.
Legal Aid Queensland is funded by government to provide legal help for disadvantaged Queenslanders.
More than 400 staff work through the State in offices at Brisbane, Bundaberg, Caboolture, Cairns, Inala, Ipswich, Mackay, Maroochydore, Mt Isa, Rockhampton, Southport, Toowoomba, Townsville and Woodridge.
Other achievements by Legal Aid Queensland in 2005-06 included:
• ensuring more than 60,000 children and adults were represented by a duty lawyer in Magistrates and Children’s Courts
• establishing a program to improve Indigenous clients’ access to family law conferencing
• representing more than 400 clients under a committals pilot, which aims to reduce the high costs of administering criminal justice by resolving matters at an early stage in the lower courts
• representing more than 2800 children and young people and providing advice to a further 1400
• playing a lead role in preparing for major changes to the family law system, and
• providing face-to-face and telephone legal advice services to victims of Cyclones Larry and Monica.
Legal Aid Queensland’s annual report can be downloaded at www.legalaid.qld.gov.au
15 November 2006
Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Attorney-General’s office) 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350 Kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au
More information:
Legal Aid Queensland - Miranda Greer (07) 3238 3004 or Amanda Catania (07) 3238 3392