Funding boost for Sunshine Coast community legal service

A Sunshine Coast community legal service will receive $101,000 as part of an almost $700,000 boost for additional staff in 10 community legal centres across Queensland, Attorney-General Kerry Shine said.

Mr Shine said the funding would allow the Suncoast Community Legal Service based at Maroochydore to engage additional staff.

“The Queensland Government is committed to improving the access to justice and legal services for all Queenslanders,” Mr Shine said.

Mr Shine said the additional funding for community legal centres would help some of the most disadvantaged members of the community, including children, victims of assault, the mentally ill and Indigenous men and women.

“Community legal centres can assist disadvantaged families going through difficult times and help them to access the legal advice and representation they need,” he said.

Mr Shine said the additional funding, announced as part of the 2007-08 State Budget this month, will be provided from the Legal Practitioner Interest on Trust Accounts Fund, administered by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.

26 June 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Mr Shine’s office) 3239 6400