Grants help level legal playing field for disadvantaged women, kids in Brisbane

Disadvantaged women and young people will be the major beneficiaries of four state government grants to help level the legal playing field in the greater metropolitan area.

Attorney-General and Justice Minister Kerry Shine announced today funding of $100,000 for Sisters Inside, $68,900 for the South West Brisbane Community Legal Centre, $60,000 for the Salvation Army and $1200 for the Youth Advocacy Centre.

“This funding will enable Sisters Inside to help women referred to the Special Circumstances Court, by employing a bridging worker to provide the legal and community connections they need for successful diversion from the criminal justice system,” Mr Shine said.

“Many of these women are highly marginalised and need help to access accommodation, drug and alcohol programs, mental health services and other professional support.

“Some also have to keep moving from one location to another for safety reasons, which compounds their problems and sense of isolation.”

“The bridging worker will also assist with pre-hearing work and post-hearing follow-up, as well as providing some initial supervision.”

“This initiative will build on the good work already being done in the Special Circumstances Court and help women regain control of their lives.”

Mr Shine said the South West Brisbane Community Legal Centre would use its funding to help economically and socially disadvantaged young people in the area through professional advice, casework, court representation and legal education.

“This project was established through an initial grant of $66,939 and has identified a pressing need for practical legal services tailored to the particular needs of local young people who have been caught up in the criminal justice system,” he said.

“For example, most of these young people are unable to access Legal Aid before appearing in court and, as a result, sometimes plead guilty to offences they have not committed.

“This funding takes the government’s total commitment to more than $135,000 and will cover the cost of a solicitor, as well as office administration and incidental expenses.”

Mr Shine said the Salvation Army’s grant would help reduce repeat offences in the greater metropolitan area by developing a new 10-week, positive lifestyle program for defendants appearing in local courts.

“Providing offenders with the opportunity to examine their lifestyle and actions in a candid, professional, non-judgemental format is the first step to breaking the cycle of criminal activity and getting them back on the right track,” he said.

“The Salvation Army does this very well, as is recognised by magistrates who order offenders to complete its positive lifestyle program as part of their sentence.

“Some solicitors also refer their clients to the program before they appear in court.

“This grant will enable the Salvation Army to employ an additional facilitator, develop another positive lifestyle program and continue to build on its good work.”

Mr Shine said the funding provided to the Youth Advocacy Centre would be used to update and reprint a wallet card for young people on the laws regarding police move-on powers.

“This card was initially developed back in 2001 and has been widely distributed,” he said.

“The reprint is needed to reflect legislative changes last year, so young people don’t rely on outdated information that could see them charged with failing to obey a police direction.

“The Youth Advocacy Centre is based at Wooloowin and primarily services the greater metropolitan area, but it also receives requests from many other agencies and supplies these wallet cards across the state.

“This grant will cover the cost of producing 10,000 new cards, which are expected to meet demand for the next two or three years, so it represents very good value for money.”

Mr Shine said the grants were among 35 initiatives to be funded this year from the Legal Practitioner Interest on Trust Accounts Fund administered by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General to enhance community legal services and education.

“These grants will help to level the legal playing field for some of the most vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalised people in our society, including victims of crime, people with disabilities, Indigenous Queenslanders, young people and refugees,” he said.

“The grants will provide almost $1.7 million in total for a wide range of worthwhile projects.”

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Mr Shine’s office) 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350 kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au