Grants totalling more than $260,000 have been awarded to Queensland community legal centres giving them a much-needed boost to help support those in need of legal assistance and representation.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Yvette D’Ath MP said 27 community legal centres located in the greater Brisbane area, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Toowoomba had each been awarded grants up to $10,000.
“This cash injection will assist these community legal centres to enhance their digital tools to deliver their much needed services,” Mrs D’Ath said.
“There are high degrees of variability across the sector in terms of availability, accessibility and suitability of appropriate digital infrastructure and support.
“These funds will certainly help community legal centres to address these issues and allow them to continue their very important work for their community.”
One organisation to benefit from the 2018-19 grant process was the Moreton Bay Regional Community Legal Service, which provides advice and assistance to empower people in the local community to deal with legal issues in their lives.
Chief Executive Officer Laurence McMahon said the funding grant would be used to upgrade software and digital hardware to better equip the organisation in its service to the Caboolture and surrounding community.
“The Moreton Bay Regional Community Legal Service is the only community legal service between Strathpine and Maroochydore on a north-south alignment, and between Bribie Island and Kingaroy on an east-west alignment,” Mr McMahon said.
“This area is quickly growing and we do service a geographically immense area so it is important that we have an effective and efficient IT system to cater for clients who may be located some distance from their local legal clinic.
“This cash injection will certainly assist us in taking on the task before us.”
Other recipients of the 2018-19 grants including community legal services providing advice and assistance to women, people who identify as LGBTIQ+, youths, tenants, environmentalists, prisoners, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
