Community Legal Centres Tasmania today welcomed the announcement that the Federal Government will increase funding to community legal centres across Australia over the next three years to $39 million in the upcoming budget after previously committing to slash the budget to $30.1 million from 1 July 2017.
Jane Hutchison, the Chair of CLC Tas said:
Community Legal Centres Tasmania welcomes Senator Brandis’s decision to increase funding to the legal assistance sector in the upcoming budget. The funding announcement will ensure that some of the most vulnerable members of our community continue to receive first-class legal information, advice and representation.
Community Legal Centres Tasmania is however unclear whether the funding is tied to particular programs and most importantly whether funding has been restored to the Environmental Defenders Office who has been without any ongoing funding since 1 July 2014.
Jane Hutchison said:
We are seeking further details from Senator Brandis about the funding announcement including whether the restoration of funds extends to the Environmental Defenders Office who has been without any ongoing funding for almost three years and have been reliant on donations from members of the public for their ongoing survival.
Jane Hutchison, Chair of CLC Tas
