Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney-General, Mr Shayne Neumann MP and Ms Julie Owens MP, the Member for Parramatta announced the new funding while visiting the Community Legal Centre this week.
“The Federal Labor Government is firmly committed to a fair-go under the law and I am confident this increased funding for Community Legal Centres will make a real difference to local people,” Mr Neumann said.
“Access to legal advice and support is essential to strengthening our local communities and our democracy.
Ms Owens said the additional funding would mean Macquarie Legal Centre could contribute towards a project assisting vulnerable young people with civil law issues and would help the Centre respond to increased demand for services for domestic violence and family law matters.
“Macquarie Legal Centre has been providing services in an around Parramatta for around 35 years,” Ms Owens said.
The centre provides assistance and advocacy for people who are often desperate and cannot afford legal help, including those on low incomes, those with disability, indigenous people, victims of domestic violence and those with literacy problems or have limited English skills.
“In particular they have been working with vulnerable young people in the local area and I am pleased to see additional funding, which will help Macquarie Legal Centre continue providing these vital services to those who most need it.”
This funding is part of an extra $33.5 million over four years for community legal centres across Australia.
