Still no funding for Environmental Defenders Office …

Government announces record state funding of $2.5M in State Budget … but still no funding for Environmental Defenders Office

Community Legal Centres Tasmania today welcomed the State Government’s record funding commitment of $2.5 million over two years for five community legal centres across Tasmania. The funding was announced as part of the State Government’s 2017-18 Budget released late last week.

Jane Hutchison, the Chair of CLC Tas said:

Community Legal Centres across Tasmania have been struggling for years to keep up with demand for our services. The State Government’s record funding commitment will allow us to improve access to justice by allowing us to expand our services including information, advice and representation.

We welcome the State Government’s commitment of $2.5 million over the 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years as a commitment to improving access to justice and an endorsement of the important role we play in providing information, advice and representation to the financially and socially disadvantaged.

However, none of the funds made available will be provided to the Environmental Defenders Office who has been without any ongoing funding since 1 July 2014.

Jane Hutchison said:

Whilst some of our centres will be able increase their service delivery we will continue to fight for appropriate funding of the Environmental Defenders Office who receive no ongoing funding and are reliant on donations from members of the public for their ongoing survival.
Ben Bartl