Lawyers Weekly - legal news for Australian lawyers

Powered by MOMENTUM MEDIA
lawyers weekly logo
Advertisement
NewLaw

Federal budget fails Legal Aid: LIV

THE LAW Institute of Victoria (LIV) has lashed out at the Labor Government’s first budget, claiming a lack of budget funding is depriving children of legal representation in Family Court…

May 23, 2008 By Lawyers Weekly
expand image

THE LAW Institute of Victoria (LIV) has lashed out at the Labor Government’s first budget, claiming a lack of budget funding is depriving children of legal representation in Family Court hearings.

 
 

LIV expressed its disappointment over the failure of the Federal Government to provide Legal Aid, and in particular Victoria Legal Aid, with the funding that LIV believes is required.

Danny Barlow, acting president for LIV, says Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) is at a crisis point: “We have supported VLA’s request for Commonwealth funding of an additional $10 million per year,” he said. Although $7 million funding to legal aid was announced in April, including a $1.9 million injection to VLA, Barlow said that this amount falls well short of the $10 million needed to sustain adequate family law services in the state.

According to Barlow, VLA has already advised lawyers that it has been forced to cut key areas on funding in Victorian family law matters. “Families and children going through difficult breakdowns will be the victims of this on going cut in funding,” Barlow said.

Tags
You need to be a member to post comments. Become a member today
Got a tip for us?
If you have any news tips or stories to share, feel free to send them our way.
lawyersweekly jobs image
lawyersweekly jobs
Discover the latest legal jobs
Find Australian legal jobs, employment & career opportunities
Momentum Media Logo
Most Innovative Company