❓ Mr Trenorden asks about funding difficulties for the Wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service. The Attorney General responds by detailing past funding allocations and announces a one-off grant of $84,000, contingent on future funding increases and a successful submission.
AnsweredQoN 263Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WHEATBELT RURAL COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICE
My question relates to the Nationals’ ongoing fight for funding assistance for the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service, members of which are in the Speaker’s gallery. (1) Is the Attorney General aware of the difficulties that the legal centre has experienced in obtaining funding so that it may continue its operations? (2) What does he intend to do to help this important community service? Mr J.A. McGINTY
My question relates to the Nationals’ ongoing fight for funding assistance for the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service, members of which are in the Speaker’s gallery. (1) Is the Attorney General aware of the difficulties that the legal centre has experienced in obtaining funding so that it may continue its operations? (2) What does he intend to do to help this important community service? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) A review was done of all community legal centres in Western Australia in 2003. As a result, a state funding scheme was established for community legal centres, with a total of $1.125 million paid into that fund. That money was then distributed to eight of what were regarded as the most worthy community legal centres. In addition, I authorised payment of $468 000 out of the surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to a further six centres, all of which were very worthy projects. That submission process considered, but did not rate highly, the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service’s original submission, although the wheatbelt was regarded as a significant area of unmet need. I have been delighted since then to see that the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service has engaged in an extensive planning and evaluation process. It has obtained funding from Lotterywest for an independent consultant to review its service arrangements. As a result of that significant turnaround from the situation in 2003, and as a direct result of the member for Avon’s representations and advocacy on behalf of the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service, I have today approved an allocation of $84 000 from the remaining surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service to allow the centre to continue its operations for the coming financial year. This one-off funding will be administered by Legal Aid WA. Funding beyond 30 June 2008 will require an increase in recurrent funding for the state community legal centre program and a successful submission from the wheatbelt rural CLC. I am now confident, in the light of the changes that have taken place and the actions that have been taken by the wheatbelt community legal centre, that it is now in a far better position to secure ongoing funding. At least this 12-month funding will enable it to establish a method of operating that will enhance its prospects for ongoing funding. I am a great fan of community legal centres. At a very low cost, they deliver a large volume of legal services to members of the community, to ordinary citizens, who would otherwise lack the knowledge or capacity to pursue their legal remedies. It goes to the heart of what access to justice is all about. For that reason, I again thank the member for Avon for his advocacy on behalf of the centre. I look forward to, and wish the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service all the best in, its ongoing operations and hope this is the dawn of a new beginning for it.
(1) Is the Attorney General aware of the difficulties that the legal centre has experienced in obtaining funding so that it may continue its operations? (2) What does he intend to do to help this important community service? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) A review was done of all community legal centres in Western Australia in 2003. As a result, a state funding scheme was established for community legal centres, with a total of $1.125 million paid into that fund. That money was then distributed to eight of what were regarded as the most worthy community legal centres. In addition, I authorised payment of $468 000 out of the surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to a further six centres, all of which were very worthy projects. That submission process considered, but did not rate highly, the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service’s original submission, although the wheatbelt was regarded as a significant area of unmet need. I have been delighted since then to see that the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service has engaged in an extensive planning and evaluation process. It has obtained funding from Lotterywest for an independent consultant to review its service arrangements. As a result of that significant turnaround from the situation in 2003, and as a direct result of the member for Avon’s representations and advocacy on behalf of the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service, I have today approved an allocation of $84 000 from the remaining surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service to allow the centre to continue its operations for the coming financial year. This one-off funding will be administered by Legal Aid WA. Funding beyond 30 June 2008 will require an increase in recurrent funding for the state community legal centre program and a successful submission from the wheatbelt rural CLC. I am now confident, in the light of the changes that have taken place and the actions that have been taken by the wheatbelt community legal centre, that it is now in a far better position to secure ongoing funding. At least this 12-month funding will enable it to establish a method of operating that will enhance its prospects for ongoing funding. I am a great fan of community legal centres. At a very low cost, they deliver a large volume of legal services to members of the community, to ordinary citizens, who would otherwise lack the knowledge or capacity to pursue their legal remedies. It goes to the heart of what access to justice is all about. For that reason, I again thank the member for Avon for his advocacy on behalf of the centre. I look forward to, and wish the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service all the best in, its ongoing operations and hope this is the dawn of a new beginning for it.
(2) What does he intend to do to help this important community service? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) A review was done of all community legal centres in Western Australia in 2003. As a result, a state funding scheme was established for community legal centres, with a total of $1.125 million paid into that fund. That money was then distributed to eight of what were regarded as the most worthy community legal centres. In addition, I authorised payment of $468 000 out of the surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to a further six centres, all of which were very worthy projects. That submission process considered, but did not rate highly, the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service’s original submission, although the wheatbelt was regarded as a significant area of unmet need. I have been delighted since then to see that the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service has engaged in an extensive planning and evaluation process. It has obtained funding from Lotterywest for an independent consultant to review its service arrangements. As a result of that significant turnaround from the situation in 2003, and as a direct result of the member for Avon’s representations and advocacy on behalf of the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service, I have today approved an allocation of $84 000 from the remaining surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service to allow the centre to continue its operations for the coming financial year. This one-off funding will be administered by Legal Aid WA. Funding beyond 30 June 2008 will require an increase in recurrent funding for the state community legal centre program and a successful submission from the wheatbelt rural CLC. I am now confident, in the light of the changes that have taken place and the actions that have been taken by the wheatbelt community legal centre, that it is now in a far better position to secure ongoing funding. At least this 12-month funding will enable it to establish a method of operating that will enhance its prospects for ongoing funding. I am a great fan of community legal centres. At a very low cost, they deliver a large volume of legal services to members of the community, to ordinary citizens, who would otherwise lack the knowledge or capacity to pursue their legal remedies. It goes to the heart of what access to justice is all about. For that reason, I again thank the member for Avon for his advocacy on behalf of the centre. I look forward to, and wish the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service all the best in, its ongoing operations and hope this is the dawn of a new beginning for it.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) A review was done of all community legal centres in Western Australia in 2003. As a result, a state funding scheme was established for community legal centres, with a total of $1.125 million paid into that fund. That money was then distributed to eight of what were regarded as the most worthy community legal centres. In addition, I authorised payment of $468 000 out of the surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to a further six centres, all of which were very worthy projects. That submission process considered, but did not rate highly, the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service’s original submission, although the wheatbelt was regarded as a significant area of unmet need. I have been delighted since then to see that the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service has engaged in an extensive planning and evaluation process. It has obtained funding from Lotterywest for an independent consultant to review its service arrangements. As a result of that significant turnaround from the situation in 2003, and as a direct result of the member for Avon’s representations and advocacy on behalf of the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service, I have today approved an allocation of $84 000 from the remaining surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service to allow the centre to continue its operations for the coming financial year. This one-off funding will be administered by Legal Aid WA. Funding beyond 30 June 2008 will require an increase in recurrent funding for the state community legal centre program and a successful submission from the wheatbelt rural CLC. I am now confident, in the light of the changes that have taken place and the actions that have been taken by the wheatbelt community legal centre, that it is now in a far better position to secure ongoing funding. At least this 12-month funding will enable it to establish a method of operating that will enhance its prospects for ongoing funding. I am a great fan of community legal centres. At a very low cost, they deliver a large volume of legal services to members of the community, to ordinary citizens, who would otherwise lack the knowledge or capacity to pursue their legal remedies. It goes to the heart of what access to justice is all about. For that reason, I again thank the member for Avon for his advocacy on behalf of the centre. I look forward to, and wish the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service all the best in, its ongoing operations and hope this is the dawn of a new beginning for it.
(1)-(2) A review was done of all community legal centres in Western Australia in 2003. As a result, a state funding scheme was established for community legal centres, with a total of $1.125 million paid into that fund. That money was then distributed to eight of what were regarded as the most worthy community legal centres. In addition, I authorised payment of $468 000 out of the surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to a further six centres, all of which were very worthy projects. That submission process considered, but did not rate highly, the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service’s original submission, although the wheatbelt was regarded as a significant area of unmet need. I have been delighted since then to see that the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service has engaged in an extensive planning and evaluation process. It has obtained funding from Lotterywest for an independent consultant to review its service arrangements. As a result of that significant turnaround from the situation in 2003, and as a direct result of the member for Avon’s representations and advocacy on behalf of the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service, I have today approved an allocation of $84 000 from the remaining surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service to allow the centre to continue its operations for the coming financial year. This one-off funding will be administered by Legal Aid WA. Funding beyond 30 June 2008 will require an increase in recurrent funding for the state community legal centre program and a successful submission from the wheatbelt rural CLC. I am now confident, in the light of the changes that have taken place and the actions that have been taken by the wheatbelt community legal centre, that it is now in a far better position to secure ongoing funding. At least this 12-month funding will enable it to establish a method of operating that will enhance its prospects for ongoing funding. I am a great fan of community legal centres. At a very low cost, they deliver a large volume of legal services to members of the community, to ordinary citizens, who would otherwise lack the knowledge or capacity to pursue their legal remedies. It goes to the heart of what access to justice is all about. For that reason, I again thank the member for Avon for his advocacy on behalf of the centre. I look forward to, and wish the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service all the best in, its ongoing operations and hope this is the dawn of a new beginning for it.
(1) Is the Attorney General aware of the difficulties that the legal centre has experienced in obtaining funding so that it may continue its operations? (2) What does he intend to do to help this important community service? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) A review was done of all community legal centres in Western Australia in 2003. As a result, a state funding scheme was established for community legal centres, with a total of $1.125 million paid into that fund. That money was then distributed to eight of what were regarded as the most worthy community legal centres. In addition, I authorised payment of $468 000 out of the surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to a further six centres, all of which were very worthy projects. That submission process considered, but did not rate highly, the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service’s original submission, although the wheatbelt was regarded as a significant area of unmet need. I have been delighted since then to see that the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service has engaged in an extensive planning and evaluation process. It has obtained funding from Lotterywest for an independent consultant to review its service arrangements. As a result of that significant turnaround from the situation in 2003, and as a direct result of the member for Avon’s representations and advocacy on behalf of the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service, I have today approved an allocation of $84 000 from the remaining surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service to allow the centre to continue its operations for the coming financial year. This one-off funding will be administered by Legal Aid WA. Funding beyond 30 June 2008 will require an increase in recurrent funding for the state community legal centre program and a successful submission from the wheatbelt rural CLC. I am now confident, in the light of the changes that have taken place and the actions that have been taken by the wheatbelt community legal centre, that it is now in a far better position to secure ongoing funding. At least this 12-month funding will enable it to establish a method of operating that will enhance its prospects for ongoing funding. I am a great fan of community legal centres. At a very low cost, they deliver a large volume of legal services to members of the community, to ordinary citizens, who would otherwise lack the knowledge or capacity to pursue their legal remedies. It goes to the heart of what access to justice is all about. For that reason, I again thank the member for Avon for his advocacy on behalf of the centre. I look forward to, and wish the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service all the best in, its ongoing operations and hope this is the dawn of a new beginning for it.
(2) What does he intend to do to help this important community service? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) A review was done of all community legal centres in Western Australia in 2003. As a result, a state funding scheme was established for community legal centres, with a total of $1.125 million paid into that fund. That money was then distributed to eight of what were regarded as the most worthy community legal centres. In addition, I authorised payment of $468 000 out of the surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to a further six centres, all of which were very worthy projects. That submission process considered, but did not rate highly, the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service’s original submission, although the wheatbelt was regarded as a significant area of unmet need. I have been delighted since then to see that the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service has engaged in an extensive planning and evaluation process. It has obtained funding from Lotterywest for an independent consultant to review its service arrangements. As a result of that significant turnaround from the situation in 2003, and as a direct result of the member for Avon’s representations and advocacy on behalf of the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service, I have today approved an allocation of $84 000 from the remaining surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service to allow the centre to continue its operations for the coming financial year. This one-off funding will be administered by Legal Aid WA. Funding beyond 30 June 2008 will require an increase in recurrent funding for the state community legal centre program and a successful submission from the wheatbelt rural CLC. I am now confident, in the light of the changes that have taken place and the actions that have been taken by the wheatbelt community legal centre, that it is now in a far better position to secure ongoing funding. At least this 12-month funding will enable it to establish a method of operating that will enhance its prospects for ongoing funding. I am a great fan of community legal centres. At a very low cost, they deliver a large volume of legal services to members of the community, to ordinary citizens, who would otherwise lack the knowledge or capacity to pursue their legal remedies. It goes to the heart of what access to justice is all about. For that reason, I again thank the member for Avon for his advocacy on behalf of the centre. I look forward to, and wish the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service all the best in, its ongoing operations and hope this is the dawn of a new beginning for it.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) A review was done of all community legal centres in Western Australia in 2003. As a result, a state funding scheme was established for community legal centres, with a total of $1.125 million paid into that fund. That money was then distributed to eight of what were regarded as the most worthy community legal centres. In addition, I authorised payment of $468 000 out of the surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to a further six centres, all of which were very worthy projects. That submission process considered, but did not rate highly, the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service’s original submission, although the wheatbelt was regarded as a significant area of unmet need. I have been delighted since then to see that the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service has engaged in an extensive planning and evaluation process. It has obtained funding from Lotterywest for an independent consultant to review its service arrangements. As a result of that significant turnaround from the situation in 2003, and as a direct result of the member for Avon’s representations and advocacy on behalf of the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service, I have today approved an allocation of $84 000 from the remaining surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service to allow the centre to continue its operations for the coming financial year. This one-off funding will be administered by Legal Aid WA. Funding beyond 30 June 2008 will require an increase in recurrent funding for the state community legal centre program and a successful submission from the wheatbelt rural CLC. I am now confident, in the light of the changes that have taken place and the actions that have been taken by the wheatbelt community legal centre, that it is now in a far better position to secure ongoing funding. At least this 12-month funding will enable it to establish a method of operating that will enhance its prospects for ongoing funding. I am a great fan of community legal centres. At a very low cost, they deliver a large volume of legal services to members of the community, to ordinary citizens, who would otherwise lack the knowledge or capacity to pursue their legal remedies. It goes to the heart of what access to justice is all about. For that reason, I again thank the member for Avon for his advocacy on behalf of the centre. I look forward to, and wish the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service all the best in, its ongoing operations and hope this is the dawn of a new beginning for it.
(1)-(2) A review was done of all community legal centres in Western Australia in 2003. As a result, a state funding scheme was established for community legal centres, with a total of $1.125 million paid into that fund. That money was then distributed to eight of what were regarded as the most worthy community legal centres. In addition, I authorised payment of $468 000 out of the surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to a further six centres, all of which were very worthy projects. That submission process considered, but did not rate highly, the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service’s original submission, although the wheatbelt was regarded as a significant area of unmet need. I have been delighted since then to see that the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service has engaged in an extensive planning and evaluation process. It has obtained funding from Lotterywest for an independent consultant to review its service arrangements. As a result of that significant turnaround from the situation in 2003, and as a direct result of the member for Avon’s representations and advocacy on behalf of the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service, I have today approved an allocation of $84 000 from the remaining surplus of the legal contribution trust moneys to the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service to allow the centre to continue its operations for the coming financial year. This one-off funding will be administered by Legal Aid WA. Funding beyond 30 June 2008 will require an increase in recurrent funding for the state community legal centre program and a successful submission from the wheatbelt rural CLC. I am now confident, in the light of the changes that have taken place and the actions that have been taken by the wheatbelt community legal centre, that it is now in a far better position to secure ongoing funding. At least this 12-month funding will enable it to establish a method of operating that will enhance its prospects for ongoing funding. I am a great fan of community legal centres. At a very low cost, they deliver a large volume of legal services to members of the community, to ordinary citizens, who would otherwise lack the knowledge or capacity to pursue their legal remedies. It goes to the heart of what access to justice is all about. For that reason, I again thank the member for Avon for his advocacy on behalf of the centre. I look forward to, and wish the wheatbelt Rural Community Legal Service all the best in, its ongoing operations and hope this is the dawn of a new beginning for it.
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