Category Archives: Media Wrap

Family violence features in our latest wrap of the Federation in the media

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Welcome to our occasional wrap of the Federation in the media. This issue features family violence, together with a range of other legal assistance issues on which the Federation also actively engages the media. As well as our own work with the media, the Federation offers media support to our member community legal centres and also works with partner organisations on related issues. Earlier coverage is available via our In the Media category. Continue reading →

Shine a light on ‘patchwork’ family violence legal system, community legal peak tells royal commission

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Updated Thursday 6 August 2015

Tuesday 4 August – Embargoed until 12.00am Wednesday 5 August 2015

Victoria’s family violence legal system offers a ‘patchwork response’ that is sometimes dangerously threadbare through poorly funded legal help, inconsistent specialisation and insufficient risk management, the Royal Commission into Family Violence will hear this Wednesday (5 August) in evidence to be presented by the Federation of Community Legal Centres. Continue reading →

Reversal of legal service cuts draws broad media coverage

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Updated: Monday 30 March

The Federal Attorney-General George Brandis yesterday announced the reversal of significant funding cuts to the legal assistance sector over 2015–16 and 2016–17 made as part of the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) process in December 2013.

The reversal of funding cuts included community legal centres, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS), and State and Territory Legal Aid Commissions, but excluded Environment Defenders Offices, and the national Aboriginal legal peak NATSILS. Cuts planned for 2017–18 have also not been reversed.

The announcement confirmed that restrictions on advocacy imposed by the Attorney-General in July 2014 would be maintained. Continue reading →

Federal cuts hit as community legal centres make the case for the vulnerable

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Updated: 19 March 2015

Community legal centres have been in the national, state and local news as Federal Government cuts set to commence on 1 July begin to impact centres in Victoria and beyond.

Murray Mallee Community Legal Service and Far West Community Legal Centre (NSW) have already experienced staff losses as a result of cuts that will particularly impact women at risk of family violence. ARC Justice, Brimbank Melton Community Legal Centre and Whittlesea Community Legal Service have also been in the news in anticipation of impacts from the funding cuts. Continue reading →

Australian of the Year Rosie Batty renews media focus on family violence

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The announcement of Rosie Batty as Australian of the Year has renewed the media focus on family violence, and has highlighted the contradiction between the Federal Government’s stated commitment to tackling family violence and its cuts to frontline services helping women at risk, including many community legal centres. Continue reading →