Justice Grant to Increase Sunshine Coast Legal Advice Services
Published Tuesday, 26 August, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Sunshine Coast residents will soon have greater access to legal advice and domestic violence support services thanks to grants of more than $153,000 from the Bligh Government.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine today announced Centacare has received $110,000 to continue its early intervention program for men who have been involved in domestic violence, while the Suncoast Community Legal Centre had secured a grant of over $43,000 to help establish additional volunteer legal advice programs.
“The funding for Centacare will help the group continue its efforts to reduce domestic violence in the Sunshine Coast and Gympie,” Mr Shine said.
“The program directly targets men who have come to the attention of local courts as a result of their involvement in domestic and family violence.
“Offenders are counselled so they better understand court applications taken out against them, as well as the penalties for breaching such orders.
“This funding will help cover the cost of Centacare staff, as well as associated expenses for travel, phones and administration, and is the second funding instalment of a two-year program for which we have committed $214,900.”
Mr Shine said the program aimed to increase family safety by reducing the incidence of domestic violence and repeat offences in particular.
“The project is operating in all five magistrates courts on the Sunshine Coast and includes referring offenders to other services,” he said.
Mr Shine said the Suncoast Community Legal Centre will use its funding to expand a pilot volunteer legal advice program in the region.
“The funding will help employ a part-time development officer to work with community groups and legal practitioners in three additional locations in the region, including Caloundra and the hinterland,” he said.
“The funding will help cover the cost of staff, as well as associated expenses for travel, office equipment and administration.”
Mr Shine said establishing the additional services would help meet increasing demand by local residents for free legal advice.
“Suncoast has run a volunteer legal service since 1986 and has seen an increase of more than 650 per cent in the number of people it advises since the service began operating.”
“Having an additional worker will allow the service to reach more disadvantaged people in Sunshine Coast communities, particularly elderly people and those with a disability.”
Mr Shine said the Sunshine Coast grants were among 28 initiatives to be funded this year from the Legal Practitioner Interest on Trust Accounts Fund (LPITAF) which is 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.
“Grants range from $15,000 to $155,000 and will provide more than $1.8 million in total for a wide range of worthwhile projects across the state.
“Many of these other grants will support regional and statewide initiatives that also benefit the people of the Sunshine Coast and hinterland.”
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine today announced Centacare has received $110,000 to continue its early intervention program for men who have been involved in domestic violence, while the Suncoast Community Legal Centre had secured a grant of over $43,000 to help establish additional volunteer legal advice programs.
“The funding for Centacare will help the group continue its efforts to reduce domestic violence in the Sunshine Coast and Gympie,” Mr Shine said.
“The program directly targets men who have come to the attention of local courts as a result of their involvement in domestic and family violence.
“Offenders are counselled so they better understand court applications taken out against them, as well as the penalties for breaching such orders.
“This funding will help cover the cost of Centacare staff, as well as associated expenses for travel, phones and administration, and is the second funding instalment of a two-year program for which we have committed $214,900.”
Mr Shine said the program aimed to increase family safety by reducing the incidence of domestic violence and repeat offences in particular.
“The project is operating in all five magistrates courts on the Sunshine Coast and includes referring offenders to other services,” he said.
Mr Shine said the Suncoast Community Legal Centre will use its funding to expand a pilot volunteer legal advice program in the region.
“The funding will help employ a part-time development officer to work with community groups and legal practitioners in three additional locations in the region, including Caloundra and the hinterland,” he said.
“The funding will help cover the cost of staff, as well as associated expenses for travel, office equipment and administration.”
Mr Shine said establishing the additional services would help meet increasing demand by local residents for free legal advice.
“Suncoast has run a volunteer legal service since 1986 and has seen an increase of more than 650 per cent in the number of people it advises since the service began operating.”
“Having an additional worker will allow the service to reach more disadvantaged people in Sunshine Coast communities, particularly elderly people and those with a disability.”
Mr Shine said the Sunshine Coast grants were among 28 initiatives to be funded this year from the Legal Practitioner Interest on Trust Accounts Fund (LPITAF) which is 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.
“Grants range from $15,000 to $155,000 and will provide more than $1.8 million in total for a wide range of worthwhile projects across the state.
“Many of these other grants will support regional and statewide initiatives that also benefit the people of the Sunshine Coast and hinterland.”
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273