Grants Strengthen Community Legal Centres

Community legal centres will receive a $3.2 million boost in their ability to help vulnerable and disadvantaged Victorians, following a series of grant allocations.

Attorney-General Martin Pakula announced the grants at the launch of the West Justice Community Legal Centre in Werribee today.

The West Justice Community Legal Centre - launched by Member for Werribee Tim Pallas - was one of 28 recipients of a Community Legal Centre Assistance Fund grant.

Their $50,000 grant will support an Employment Law Project, which seeks to improve working outcomes for newly arrived and refugee communities across Melbourne’s western suburbs.

The Community Legal Centre Assistance Fund will provide $2 million to centres over the next two years. Community legal centres were eligible to apply for a grant of up to $50,000 per year.

The grants fund a range of key frontline resources and programs including legal support for family violence; improved access to justice for newly arrived and refugee communities; and services for regional and remote youth.

The Andrews Labor Government has also committed $1.2 million to community legal centres from the Family Violence Duty Lawyer Fund with the announcement that 23 centres will receive a grant of up to $52,000 this year.

These grants will increase the availability of family violence duty lawyers to assist victims of family violence with proceedings before the Magistrates’ Court.

The critical funding means that community legal centres across Victoria can continue to run vital programs and services, as well as assist victims of family violence.

Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Martin Pakula

“Community legal centres have a critical role in our community by providing essential services to disadvantaged and vulnerable Victorians.”

“The Government recognises the significant contribution they make to our justice system and we are proud to commit $2 million over two years to the Community Legal Centre Assistance Fund to better support vital services and programs.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“I am pleased to officially launch the newly formed West Justice Community Legal Centre.”

“The West Justice Community Legal Centre is now one of the largest legal centres in Melbourne, bringing together Wyndham Legal Service, Footscray Community Legal Centre, and Western Suburbs Legal Service.”