Page 2560 - Week 08 - Thursday, 30 August 2007

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Incorporated documents

Attachment 1

Documents incorporated by Mr Stefaniak

Bill Stefaniak budget speech – Legal Aid Commission

• The Legal Aid Commission performs an important role in helping people with low incomes to access legal help.

• In my experience, they generally perform their jobs well.

• There is always room for improvement and it is good to see that the Legal Aid Commission is seeking to improve its services.

• The Legal Aid Commission lists its priorities as:

• negotiating a new ACT/Australian Government funding agreement;

• expanding duty lawyer services at the ACT Magistrates Court to support the new Criminal Listing procedures;

• reviewing and developing legal aid services in civil law matters;

• undertaking a feasibility study into a Prisoners Legal Advice service at the new ACT prison; and

• developing procedures for electronic application lodgement, eligibility assessment and funds transfer to meet existing and developing requirements of clients and legal practitioners.

• I note that the Legal Aid Commission is seeking an increase from the Commonwealth Government in its funding agreement.

• It is seeking money both for the Territory’s increased population since 2004 and for services provided to NSW especially for services for indigenous Australians.

• I wish them every success in negotiations with the Commonwealth.

• The expansion of duty lawyer services at the ACT Magistrates Court to support the new Criminal Listing procedures is welcome.

• It should be of great assistance to those who need help.

• I look forward to seeing the outcome of the review of legal aid services for civil law matters.

• People on a low income often need assistance on civil matters such as family law matters.

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