The Tasmanian Greens today renewed calls for an increase in funding for the Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania and community legal groups.
Greens Justice spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that it was past time that both the Labor and Liberal parties listened to the pleas of Tasmanians unable to afford access to justice and legal representation.
“Justice denied costs the community far more than the provision of these services,” Mr Booth said.
“The Abbott Liberal minority government will be cutting $43.1m over the next 4 years from community legal services and legal aid, in a supposed attempt to save money.”
“As usual, it is the battlers in the community who are suffering while mining magnates for example reap more and more profit.”
“The Hodgman Liberals apparently don’t care about legal aid to battlers either, because if they did they would be defending Tasmania against Abbott’s razor.”
“Likewise, the Greens’ lobbying of the Justice Minister has fallen on deaf ears.”
“The Greens are the only party with a policy to increase funding to legal aid and I am fearful of what will happen to our legal system and those most in need during the next term of government if this attitude by the other parties continues.”
“This is not a cost cutting measure, it is a disaster waiting to happen – both judicially and financially for the State of Tasmania,” said Mr Booth.
Kim Booth MP Greens Justice Spokesperson
