The injection of funds is marked to develop or expand partnerships with universities providing placement opportunities for students in family law.

“Access to practical legal education and experience is important as it not only helps students develop their legal skills, but also increases awareness of social justice and equity issues in the legal system,” McClelland said.

“This in turn benefits the community through increased access to legal advice and assistance, particularly for those who are disadvantaged or vulnerable.”

Funding will be provided to a string of community legal centres across Australia. 

The funds will assist in the development or expansion of existing clinical legal partnership arrangements which include the opportunity for students to participate in alternative dispute resolution and to provide assistance to clients in rural and regional areas.  

The Australian Government is also providing ongoing funding to four community legal centres under the Clinical Legal Education program of the Commonwealth Community Legal Services Program.

The community legal centres working with their university partners include the Advocacy and Support Centre, Toowoomba &  University of  Southern  Queensland; the Hunter Community Legal Centre,  Newcastle & the  University of  Newcastle; the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre,  Bendigo & La Trobe  University; the Macquarie Legal Centre,  Sydney &  Macquarie  University; the Kingsford Legal Centre, Sydney &  University of  NSW; the Hume Riverina Community Legal Service, Wodonga &  Charles  Darwin  University; and the SCALES Community Legal Centre, Perth &  Murdoch  University.