Attorney General Mark Speakman said funding from the NSW Government would secure Community Legal Centres' services for the future, following the non-renewal of a federal funding program.
“This is a major win for vulnerable and disadvantaged people across the state who rely on CLC lawyers for free advice on critical issues in both the civil and criminal sphere, ranging from domestic violence and victims’ support to debts and tenancy disputes,” Mr Speakman said.
CLCs provide free legal help to 55,000 people each year at more than 30 locations in metropolitan, regional and rural NSW. Before the funding announcement, many centres faced staff cuts and service reductions from July 2017.
The government's funding injection is in addition to the $6.4 million it has already committed to CLCs in 2016-17. The NSW Government has increased its core funding to CLCs every year since 2011.