Local victim-survivors of domestic and family violence and those who have been impacted by Covid-19 will benefit from a funding boost to the state’s community legal assistance sector.
The NSW Government’s allocation of $5.43 million in Commonwealth funding for community legal centres will support those across the Macarthur region experiencing disadvantage and discrimination.
“The global health and economic crises have had a profound impact on our local area, with people across our communities facing job losses, tenancy issues and financial insecurity,” says the state member for Camden, Peter Sidgreaves.
“This funding injection will support our hard-working community legal centres, including the Macarthur Legal Centre, to provide free legal help to those most in need across the community,” he said.
NSW attorney general and minister for the prevention of domestic violence Mark Speakman said almost 80 per cent of this funding has been allocated to services for people facing domestic and family violence.
“Recent alarming reports have suggested the pandemic is increasing the risk of domestic abuse in the home,” Mr Speakman said.
“This investment will help victim-survivors get the legal support need, hold perpetrators to account and ultimately save lives.”
Funding will benefit a range of specialist centres providing targeted support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, seniors, people with disabilities, young people and migrants and refugees, as well as to generalist centres.
This funding forms part of the Commonwealth Government’s $15.6 million investment to support NSW legal assistance services impacted by Covid-19.
This announcement builds on the NSW Government’s record funding for the community legal sector, with more than $40 million injected into community legal centres over three years.
Find out more about how community legal centres can support you by visiting the Community Legal Centres NSW website.
