Victim-survivors of domestic and family violence and those who have been impacted by COVID-19 in the Northern Rivers will benefit from a funding boost to the state’s community legal assistance sector.
Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said the NSW Government’s allocation of $5.43 million in Commonwealth funding to the State’s community legal centres will support people in Northern Rivers experiencing disadvantage and discrimination.
“The global health and economic crises have had a profound impact on the Northern Rivers, with people across our community facing job losses, tenancy issues and financial insecurity,” Mr Provest said.
“This funding injection will support our hard-working community legal centres, including the Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre, to provide free legal help to those most in need in the community.”
Attorney General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Mark Speakman said almost 80 per cent of this funding has been allocated to services for people facing domestic and family violence.
“Recent alarming reports have suggested the pandemic is increasing the risk of domestic abuse in the home,” Mr Speakman said.
“This investment will help victim-survivors get the legal support they need, hold perpetrators to account and ultimately save lives.”
Funding will benefit a range of specialist centres providing targeted support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, seniors, people with disabilities, young people and migrants and refugees, as well as to generalist centres.
This funding forms part of the Commonwealth Government’s $15.6 million investment to support NSW legal assistance services impacted by COVID-19.
Today’s announcement builds on the NSW Government’s record funding for the community legal sector, with more than $40 million injected into community legal centres over three years.
Find out more about how community legal centres can support you by visiting the Community Legal Centres NSW website.