Attorney-General Senator the Hon. George Brandis and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash have announced that current levels of Commonwealth funding of Legal Aid
Commissions, Community Legal Centres (except Environmental Defenders Offices) and
Indigenous legal assistance will continue for another two years. In their announcement, the Government acknowledge the crucial role ready access to legal assistance plays in protecting and supporting women and children experiencing violence.
This announcement comes after a protracted campaign from a number of directions hoping to persuade the Government to maintain funding to legal assistance. A PDF of the joint media release from the Attorney-General and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women is available here.