Last week’s Federal Budget has drawn strong criticism, including from the community legal sector, which received a further $6 million cut. This was in addition to the $43.1 million cut to legal assistance services announced last December ($19.6 million from CLCs).

The cuts will directly impact the frontline services of around 60 community legal centres nationally, including those supporting women facing family violence. In addition, a planned amendment to service agreements will seek to preclude the use of Commonwealth funding for law reform and policy advocacy work by community legal centres.

Media responses issued by Community Law Australia, and by the National Association of Community Legal Centres, resulted in several radio interviews and a Canberra Times report that was widely syndicated by Fairfax Media.

• Liana Buchanan speaks to ABC AM on the Federal Budget cuts, Saturday 17 May 2014
• Liana Buchanan speaks to the Canberra Times on the cuts and violence against women, Monday 19 May 2014
• NACLC National Convenor Michael Smith speaks to 3RRR Room with a View, Monday 19 May 2014
• Michael Smith also spoke to ABC 702 Sydney and Radio 4ZZZ in Brisbane.

Media releases

• Attorney-General wrong in media statement on cuts to community legal centres, says national access to justice campaign, Community Law Australia, Monday 19 May 2014
• Federal Budget exposes more funding cuts as A-G Brandis stops community legal centres speaking out on unfair laws and practices, Community Law Australia, Friday 16 May 2014
• Budget misses opportunity to address crisis in legal help, National Association of Community Legal Centres, Tuesday 13 May 2014

To arrange a media interview, please contact Darren Lewin-Hill, Communications Manager, on 0488 773 535.

(Cross-posted from the Federation of Community Legal Centres)