Justice grants to improve access to legal services for Queenslanders

Victims of crime, people with disabilities, Indigenous people, refugees and other vulnerable groups will soon have better access to legal services due to almost $1.7 million in Queensland Government grants for dozens of community justice initiatives across the state.

Attorney-General and Justice Minister Kerry Shine said funding had been awarded to 32 organisations administering 35 projects from the Gold Coast to the Torres Strait and far west.

“These grants will help to level the legal playing field for some of the most vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalised people in our society,” Mr Shine said.

“The grants will support a wide range of worthwhile initiatives to enhance community legal services and education.”

The grants are distributed from the Legal Practitioner Interest on Trust Accounts Fund (LPITAF) administered by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.

“The Court Network for Humanity will receive $161,400 to conduct a pilot program at the Brisbane Supreme Court and District Court, similar to the services it already provides at the Commonwealth Law Courts,” Mr Shine said.

“This program will help court users such as victims of crime, defendants, witnesses and their families by providing them with a wide range of information and referral services.

“Carers Queensland will receive $154,300 to help protect the interests of adults with impaired decision-making abilities and provide support services to their families.

“A further grant of $134,000 will enable The Advocacy and Support Centre in Toowoomba to establish a disability criminal justice centre that will provide State-wide advice and support to lawyers and other professionals on the complex interaction of legal and disability issues.

“Centacare will receive $105,700 for an early intervention initiative to reduce family violence in the Sunshine Coast region by counselling men so they understand the content and intent of court applications taken out against them, as well as the penalties for breaching such orders.”

Mr Shine said Sisters Inside would receive $100,000 to help disadvantaged 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.

“Further funding of $90,000 will enable the Prisoners Legal Service to establish a pilot program increasing access to supervised release from jail, particularly for disadvantaged prisoners, which will enhance community safety and the prospects for rehabilitation,” he said.

“The Women’s Legal Service will receive $78,700 to increase access for clients from rural, regional and remote areas by employing a solicitor to operate a dedicated line for their phone call inquiries at least one day per week, as well as performing associated casework.”

Mr Shine said $68,900 would be provided to the South West Brisbane Community Legal Centre to provide advice, casework, court representation and legal education to economically and socially disadvantaged young people in the area.

“Indigenous Legal Services will receive $60,000 to help homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless by offering free legal services at various sites they frequent in Cairns, as well as providing a free-call number for surrounding areas,” he said.

“Another grant of $60,000 will help the Salvation Army reduce repeat offences in the Brisbane, Beenleigh and Ipswich areas by developing a 10-week, positive lifestyle program for defendants appearing in local courts.”

“The Queensland Homicide Victims’ Support Group will receive $34,000 to produce a more detailed information pack for grieving families, particularly those living in remote areas, to help them cope with their bereavement and better understand the criminal justice process.”

Mr Shine said a grant of $38,000 would be provided to the Environment Defenders Office for a series of community education workshops across the state on environmental law and how to participate in the associated legal processes.

“The Refugee and Immigration Legal Service will receive $38,800 for a general education program on key legal issues for new arrivals and emerging refugee communities,” he said.

“At the other end of the scale, the Youth Advocacy Centre will receive $1,200 to update and reprint a wallet card for young people on the laws relating to police move-on powers.”

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

FULL LIST OF RECIPIENTS AND PROJECTS FOLLOWS