Spotlight on thriving communities at Community Legal Centres conference

Around 100 delegates including lawyers, social workers, volunteers and representatives from government agencies have come together at a conference to explore ways to better support older Queenslanders and people with disability.

Minister for Communities and Minister for Disability Services and Seniors Coralee O'Rourke today (9 March) addressed the audience at the Community Legal Centres Queensland State Conference held in Brisbane.

“Community Legal Centres are front and centre of efforts to provide legal advocacy and information to people with disability and older people experiencing elder abuse,” she said.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s vision is to build thriving communities across Queensland that have happy, healthy, fulfilled people no matter what their age or ability.

“We see thriving communities as having a strong social connection between all people, where the focus is on including, not marginalizing our young people, older people, and people with disability and embracing diversity.

“Currently, the community services industry provides essential support for people experiencing vulnerability, and that is why we see Community Legal Centres as having an important role in achieving thriving communities.

“Five Community Legal Centres receive Palaszczuk Government funding to provide seniors legal and support services which offer information, legal advice and support, short-term counselling and referrals to people experiencing elder abuse.

“These centres are located in in Brisbane, Hervey Bay, Toowoomba, Townsville and Cairns.

“It’s so important that some of the more vulnerable members of our communities have access to affordable and accessible legal information and advice when they need it.”

There are 33 Community Legal Centres across Queensland.

Mrs O’Rourke said Community Legal Centres were an important partner for the Queensland Government in preventing, responding to and raising awareness of elder abuse.

“That’s why we have provided $2.7 million in ongoing funding to deliver seniors legal and support services in five Community Legal Centres across the state – in Brisbane, Hervey Bay, Toowoomba, Townsville and Cairns,” she said.

“The Palaszczuk Government has also committed a further $2.1 million over three years to establish five additional seniors legal and support services in Rockhampton, Mackay, Gladstone, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.”

The establishment of the new seniors legal and support services responds to a recommendation in the recent Parliamentary Inquiry into the adequacy of financial protections for seniors.

ENDS
 

Media Contact: Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389