MILLION DOLLAR BOOST FOR LEGAL SERVICES

LEGAL services will receive a $100 million boost as part of a government commitment to assist vulnerable and disadvantaged people.

The announcement comes under a new funding model for the Legal Practitioner Interest on Trust Accounts Fund Grants Fund that will ensure organisations respond to identified community legal needs, with greater transparency and accountability.

The funding will be spread over the next three years.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie says Legal Aid Queensland will receive $64.4 million in the next 12 months while another $30.1 million will be invested in other community organisations over three years.

He says a further $5.5 million will be used to safeguard the quality of services available.

“Everyone deserves the right to exercise their legal rights and meet their legal obligations but often this can be a challenging process for those who need it most,” says Bleijie.

“We want to make sure the most marginalised members of our community are given the same opportunity to legal guidance as everyone else.”

“This Government has worked closely with community legal organisations to improve justice services for Queensland and as a result, it’s predicted that 6,000 additional frontline services can be delivered over 2014-17.”

A full list of funding recipients is available on the Department of Justice and Attorney-General website.