❓ Hon Adele Farina questions the Attorney General regarding Legal Aid WA funding for matters in the Magistrates Court, specifically addressing funding availability, application numbers, and the perception of funding cessation. The Attorney General confirms funding continues within existing constraints.
AnsweredQoN 836Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MAGISTRATES COURT — LEGAL AID FUNDING
836. Hon ADELE FARINA to the Attorney General:
(1) In 2012–13 did Legal Aid WA provide funding for
matters heard in the Magistrates Court?
(2) How many
applications for funding for matters before the Magistrates Court were received
by Legal Aid in 2012–13?
(3) Do Legal
Aid funding guidelines prohibit applications for funding for matters in the
Magistrates Court?
(4) Given that
some matters heard in the Magistrates Court carry penalties of imprisonment and
therefore are serious matters, does the Attorney General agree that legal aid
should be available for those people needing such aid when appearing on charges
before the Magistrates Court?
(5) When did Legal Aid stop providing funding for matters
before the Magistrates Court?
836. Hon ADELE FARINA to the Attorney General:
(1) In 2012–13 did Legal Aid WA provide funding for
matters heard in the Magistrates Court?
(2) How many
applications for funding for matters before the Magistrates Court were received
by Legal Aid in 2012–13?
(3) Do Legal
Aid funding guidelines prohibit applications for funding for matters in the
Magistrates Court?
(4) Given that
some matters heard in the Magistrates Court carry penalties of imprisonment and
therefore are serious matters, does the Attorney General agree that legal aid
should be available for those people needing such aid when appearing on charges
before the Magistrates Court?
(5) When did Legal Aid stop providing funding for matters
before the Magistrates Court?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question
and reply on behalf of the Attorney General.
(1) Yes.
(2) A figure of 3 276.
(3) No.
(4) Persons
facing serious matters in the Magistrate's Court receive legal
assistance through Legal Aid WA, to the extent made possible by Legal Aid WA's
funding guidelines. It is a reality of all legal aid commissions nationally and
in many, if not all, international schemes of legal aid that constraints in
funding limit the number of people who can receive publicly funded
representation.
(5) The member
is mistaken. Legal Aid WA has not stopped providing such funding.
and reply on behalf of the Attorney General.
(1) Yes.
(2) A figure of 3 276.
(3) No.
(4) Persons
facing serious matters in the Magistrate's Court receive legal
assistance through Legal Aid WA, to the extent made possible by Legal Aid WA's
funding guidelines. It is a reality of all legal aid commissions nationally and
in many, if not all, international schemes of legal aid that constraints in
funding limit the number of people who can receive publicly funded
representation.
(5) The member
is mistaken. Legal Aid WA has not stopped providing such funding.
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