The Gold Coast’s Robina Community Legal Centre president Ross Lee (pictured) said: “The conflict of interest issue is a fundamental reason why the Gold Coast, or anywhere really, needs at least two legal aid centres so that people aren't turned away.

“The latest national survey of legal centres listed the highest percentage reason why turnaways occurred was in-fact conflict of interest – 83 per cent, which is just madness to me.”

Mr Lee also highlighted the importance of providing a walk-in service, as making appointments is often too difficult for people in domestic violence situations.

“It’s really important that we remain accessible because if you tell someone ‘make an appointment to see us in two weeks or three weeks or six weeks’, then chances are that they're not going to turn up.”

He added: “They need to be able to walk in to a safe environment, get the advice they need and then they can put their lives, and their kids' lives importantly too, on track.”

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