Page 3084 - Week 08 - Thursday, 16 August 2018
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ACT Magistrates Court and to her continued contribution to the ACT community in her new role.
MR STEEL: Minister, how will the government support people to exercise their rights and resolve their legal issues beyond the court system?
MR RAMSAY: I thank Mr Steel for the supplementary question. We recognise that access to justice is not just about going to court. It is also about empowering people to know about and exercise their rights in the community. Our investments, our policies and our laws reflect our commitment to building a stronger, safer and more connected city.
Just one example of that in this year’s budget is funding for Legal Aid ACT. We are supporting a seniors rights service which provides targeted and specialised support for older Canberrans who are experiencing, or who want to seek information on preventing, elder abuse. That will include linking those who need it to relevant support services.
This newest initiative follows a strong record of support for our community legal centres. Canberra Community Law, the Women’s Legal Centre and Streetlaw have been hard at work turning the $2.477 million they received in the 2017-18 budget into legal services, including advice and education for those who are most at risk and most in need.
We will keep prioritising our city’s most vulnerable people, and keep supporting those fantastic and hardworking lawyers who help them to know about and exercise their rights.
Clubs—community contributions
MR PARTON: My question is to the Minister for Regulatory Services. Minister, I refer to allegations made in this place yesterday by your colleague Ms Cody that clubs have been “fiddling the books” on community contributions. Has Ms Cody written to you or the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission presenting evidence that licensed clubs have been “fiddling the books”?
MR RAMSAY: I thank Mr Parton for his question and his purported concern for the strong community contributions scheme. I can certainly assure Mr Parton, as I did yesterday, that the government is ensuring that what we will do with the community contributions scheme is maximise the benefit—
Mr Parton: Point of order.
MADAM SPEAKER: Resume your seat. Stop the clock, please.
Mr Parton: The question was very clearly: has Ms Cody written to you or the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission? It is yes or no.
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