Attorney General John Quigley has announced a major overhaul of funding arrangements for Western Australia's Community Legal Centres, including an extra $1.85 million this financial year.
Twenty-five centres across metropolitan and regional areas, which offer access to legal assistance for disadvantaged and vulnerable Western Australians, will benefit from the move.
Under the new four-year agreements, Community Legal Centres will have greater funding security with most now receiving an equal proportion of Commonwealth and State funding.
Payment and reporting requirements have also been simplified to alleviate administration burdens on the sector.
The centres have been collaborating with the Department of Justice to develop a sophisticated funding framework to ensure future allocations are applied to areas of greatest need.
This would take account of differences between each region when it comes to legal needs, population groups, remoteness and the cost of delivering services.
Community Legal Centre funding from the State and Commonwealth governments will rise from $13 million last financial year to $14.85 million in 2021-22.
The funding will be maintained at similar levels through to 2024-25.
As stated by Attorney General John Quigley:
"We are delighted to be delivering extra funding of almost $2 million for Western Australia's Community Legal Centres, which help people access the legal help they need.
"These funds will target frontline legal services and support sustainability measures in the sector.
"The new four-year agreements are an interim step to create certainty, allowing the sector to address low service levels on offer in some regions.
"We are working to ensure all Western Australians have access to the justice system as part of our ongoing commitment to a safer and fairer State."
