Andrew Giles MP, Federal Member for Scullin, has welcomed the Abbott Liberal Government’s backdown on their planned cuts in funding to Community Legal Centres.
“This is a great result for Whittlesea Community Legal Service in Epping. They will now be able to continue their good work in supporting people with a range of legal matters – in particular, family violence,” said Mr Giles MP.
“This is another embarrassing budget backdown after such a strong campaign by the legal sector on the devastating impact of the cuts to legal funding.
“I am pleased that the lobbying and campaigning efforts have resulted in the Abbott Liberal Government restoring the $25.5 million of funding for Legal Aid Commissions, Community Legal Centres and Indigenous legal service providers.”
“The Government will now honour the existing funding until the date on which it would have ended – 30 June 2017.”
“Whittlesea Community Legal Service and other legal service providers will now have greater certainty.”
“Victorian Police statistics show that the City of Whittlesea has one of the highest family violence rates in the northern metropolitan region, increasing by 35 per cent over the last two years.”
“Demand for services at Whittlesea Community Legal Service, related to domestic violence, grew by more than 29 per cent over the last year. They are seeing more than one victim of domestic violence every working day.”