Community Legal Centre Grants Will Help Families In Need
The Andrews Labor Government is asking community legal centres to apply for grants as part of a $3.2 million investment to guarantee better access to justice for disadvantaged Victorians.
Grants open today for the Community Legal Centre Assistance Fund, worth $2 million over two years, and the Family Violence Duty Lawyer Fund grants, worth $1.2 million in 2015-16.
The Community Legal Centre Assistance Fund provides grants of up to $50,000 per centre per annum for Victorian-based community legal centres to deliver legal assistance services to vulnerable and disadvantaged Victorians.
The Family Violence Duty Lawyer Fund aims to support Victorian-based community legal centres to deliver additional family violence services in the Magistrates’ Court. The grant provides funding of a single lump sum payment of up to $50,000 per centre.
These grants are part of the Labor Government’s commitment to ensure better access to legal services particularly for those who need it most.
Applications for the grants close at midnight, 27 July 2015 and should be submitted to the Department of Justice & Regulation online via the website: www.CLCgrants.smartygrants.com.au
Quotes attributable to Attorney-General, Martin Pakula
“The Andrews Labor Government is supporting community legal centres, so families and communities in need get strong legal assistance.”
“Community legal centres provide effective and innovative solutions to legal problems to help the most disadvantaged Victorians – from young people in remote areas, to women and children in our suburbs living in fear of family violence.”
Quotes attributable to Executive Officer for the Federation of Community Legal Centres, Liana Buchanan
“Community legal centres assist people who can’t afford a lawyer and have nowhere else to go for legal help with problems such as family violence, homelessness and debt.”
“Demand is overwhelming and many people can’t get the help they need. These grants will help community legal centres extend their reach to some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Victoria.”