Tasmania Minister for Justice Elise Archer

Legal Assistance For Vulnerable Tasmanians

Victor P Taffa

Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania and the Magistrates Court of Tasmania will receive funding for important projects under the 2019 Solicitors’ Guarantee Fund Grants.

“More than $2 Million will be distributed to 12 organisations across the State, confirming the Hodgman Government’s commitment to improving our justice system and protecting Tasmania’s most vulnerable people.” Minister for Justice Elise Archer said.

Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania will receive almost $600,000 to support ongoing services, including state-wide duty lawyer services; and representation services for youth justice, mental health, and drug diversion matters.

To help reduce backlog, the Magistrates Court of Tasmania will receive $107,388 to upgrade videoconferencing facilities to improve the quality of video evidence and assist the Court in receiving evidence from vulnerable witnesses.

Other grants include:

• A grant to the Launceston Community Legal Centre to continue its award-winning Legal Literacy Volunteer Program;
• A grant to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to extend the Witness Assistance Service which supports vulnerable people at the Magistrates Court;
• A grant to the Tenants’ Union of Tasmania to support the delivery of legal assistance services and community legal education to tenants state-wide.

“Hodgman Government is a strong supporter of legal assistance organisations and the valuable work they undertake in our communities.” Minister Archer said.