Published Tuesday, 26 August, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Justice Grants Help Level the Field for Disadvantaged Women and Children
Disadvantaged women, refugees and the homeless will be the major beneficiaries of four Queensland Government grants to help level the legal playing field in south-east Queensland..
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine today announced funding of $127,900 for Sisters Inside, $90,300 for the Welfare Rights Centre, $90,000 for the Prisoners Legal Service and $53,800 for the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS).
“The funding for Sisters Inside enables it to continue assisting women referred to the Special Circumstances Court and backs up the $100,000 funding it received last year to start the service,” Mr Shine said.
“A bridging worker is helping women regain control of their lives by providing them with the legal and community connections they need for successful diversion from the criminal justice system.
“Many of these women are highly marginalised and need help to access accommodation, drug and alcohol programs, mental health services and other professional support.”
Mr Shine said the Welfare Rights Centre would employ a counsellor advocate to expand its capacity to assist some of Queensland’s most vulnerable people.
“This will enable the centre to offer a face-to-face counselling and advocacy service for people with complex issues affecting their capacity to deal with the social security system, such as mental health issues, homelessness and domestic violence,” he said.
“These people have a serious need for proactive assistance to empower them to seek the most appropriate support.
“Funds will employ a counsellor and meet associated training, travel and administrative expenses.”
Mr Shine said funding for the Prisoners Legal Service would continue its pilot program to increase access to supervised release from prison, particularly for disadvantaged prisoners.
“Gradual release is considered the best-practice mechanism to allow for rehabilitation of offenders and community safety,” he said.
“A solicitor will provide legal advice and an advocate will prepare applications and make representations to the Parole Board.
“This brings the State Government's total commitment to this initiative over the past two years to $180,000, with funds helping meet the wages of the advocate and solicitor, training, travel and administrative expenses.”
Mr Shine said the grant to RAILS would help develop and coordinate a program of general legal education for newly arrived and emerging refugee communities.
“Refugees will get a better understanding of our complex legal system through education sessions covering both government and non-government legal services,” he said.
“The Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Legal Aid Queensland, community legal centres and pro bono lawyers will take part in the sessions and RAILS will also produce a resource for community leaders and agencies to guide future legal education.”
Funds will pay for a project manager and legal consultant, community worker, travel administrative expenses, interpreters and expenses associated with running the sessions.
Mr Shine said the grants were among 28 initiatives 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 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.”
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine today announced funding of $127,900 for Sisters Inside, $90,300 for the Welfare Rights Centre, $90,000 for the Prisoners Legal Service and $53,800 for the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS).
“The funding for Sisters Inside enables it to continue assisting women referred to the Special Circumstances Court and backs up the $100,000 funding it received last year to start the service,” Mr Shine said.
“A bridging worker is helping women regain control of their lives by providing them with the legal and community connections they need for successful diversion from the criminal justice system.
“Many of these women are highly marginalised and need help to access accommodation, drug and alcohol programs, mental health services and other professional support.”
Mr Shine said the Welfare Rights Centre would employ a counsellor advocate to expand its capacity to assist some of Queensland’s most vulnerable people.
“This will enable the centre to offer a face-to-face counselling and advocacy service for people with complex issues affecting their capacity to deal with the social security system, such as mental health issues, homelessness and domestic violence,” he said.
“These people have a serious need for proactive assistance to empower them to seek the most appropriate support.
“Funds will employ a counsellor and meet associated training, travel and administrative expenses.”
Mr Shine said funding for the Prisoners Legal Service would continue its pilot program to increase access to supervised release from prison, particularly for disadvantaged prisoners.
“Gradual release is considered the best-practice mechanism to allow for rehabilitation of offenders and community safety,” he said.
“A solicitor will provide legal advice and an advocate will prepare applications and make representations to the Parole Board.
“This brings the State Government's total commitment to this initiative over the past two years to $180,000, with funds helping meet the wages of the advocate and solicitor, training, travel and administrative expenses.”
Mr Shine said the grant to RAILS would help develop and coordinate a program of general legal education for newly arrived and emerging refugee communities.
“Refugees will get a better understanding of our complex legal system through education sessions covering both government and non-government legal services,” he said.
“The Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Legal Aid Queensland, community legal centres and pro bono lawyers will take part in the sessions and RAILS will also produce a resource for community leaders and agencies to guide future legal education.”
Funds will pay for a project manager and legal consultant, community worker, travel administrative expenses, interpreters and expenses associated with running the sessions.
Mr Shine said the grants were among 28 initiatives 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 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.”
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273