Legal service slams budget

By Rebecca Fraser
THE “vital” legal needs of Casey residents have been virtually ignored by the latest Federal Budget, according to the coordinator of the Casey Cardinia Community Legal Service.
Vera Hardiman has expressed disgust at the lack of funding the service received in the 2006 budget and said, despite the Government’s $11-billion surplus, the centre still struggled to attract enough funds to meet booming community demand.
Ms Hardiman said the Dandenong-based free legal service provided assistance and advice to those who could not afford to pay the high costs of engaging a private lawyer.
In the past financial year the service assisted more than 7500 people who reside in Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong.
“Our clients are really feeling the pinch at the moment. Many of the Federal Government’s legislative changes are putting the squeeze on people, yet the budget has not given community legal centres adequate resources to give these people the help they need.
“We assist over 7000 people each year in this region, mainly with Commonwealth-related matters, but we are not getting an increase in Commonwealth funding. Most of our clients are going through family breakdown and need help to sort out their children’s and property issues. Many have recently lost their jobs as a result of the industrial relations changes,” Ms Hardiman said.
Despite increased levels of need Ms Hardiman said the centre had been forced to cut back hours and the services they offered, with their principal solicitor reduced from full-time to 4.5 days per week.
“Like everyone else, our overall costs mount each year and on every level, yet these increases are not covered by our funding.
“There is so much more we would like to do in this growth corridor to assist people, yet we are crippled by our limited funds,” Ms Hardiman said.
Holt MP Anthony Byrne has also slammed the Federal Government’s decision to provide no new funding to the Casey Cardinia Community Legal Service.
The Labor MP said the service made it clear to the Federal Government that it was in urgent need of funding due to massive increases in demand for services and rising costs.
But Mr Byrne said the Government had simply turned a blind eye and funding for the legal service this year would not even keep pace with inflation, meaning it would be in an even worse position.
“At a time when hard-working families in Holt are under financial pressure from the interest rate rise and record petrol prices, access to free legal services are vital. When local families need legal advice and assistance with Centrelink or employment issues they will have no option but to pay for expensive private lawyers.
“Reducing the role of unions and the Industrial Relations Commission will see many more families seeking the assistance of community legal centres with employment problems,” Mr Byrne said.