Justice grant to support free legal advice in Gladstone

Local residents will be able to continue accessing free, face-to-face legal advice through the Gladstone City Council thanks to a second grant announced by the Queensland Government today.

Attorney-General and Justice Minister Kerry Shine said the latest grant of $43,500 followed last year’s funding of $25,000 to establish the service and deliver community education sessions in the city and neighbouring shires.

“The Council was unable to employ a part-time solicitor as initially intended, but this grant will enable it to continue providing free legal advice through contract arrangements with a local lawyer,” Mr Shine said.

“The service is of particular benefit to disadvantaged residents, including people with disabilities, victims of domestic violence and young people at risk of homelessness.”

“This grant will ensure the service can operate for a full year, which will allow council to obtain accurate data on local demand and assess the exact extent to which community legal advice is likely to be needed in the future.”

“It will also support the continuation of community education sessions and takes the state government’s total commitment for this project to more than $68,000.”

Mr Shine said the Gladstone grant was 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,” Mr Shine said.

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

“Many of these other grants will support regional and state-wide initiatives that also benefit the people of Gladstone.”

1 August 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Mr Shine’s office) 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350 kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au