ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR FAMILY LAW LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
6 January 2010
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced additional funding of $360,000 for community legal centres to develop or expand partnerships with universities providing placement opportunities for students in family law.
"Access to practical legal education and experience is important as it not only helps students develop their legal skills, but also increases awareness of social justice and equity issues in the legal system," Mr McClelland said.
"This in turn benefits the community through increased access to legal advice and assistance, particularly for those who are disadvantaged or vulnerable."
Funding will be provided to the following community legal centres working with their university partners:
- The Advocacy and Support Centre, Toowoomba and University of Southern Queensland;
- Hunter Community Legal Centre, Newcastle and the University of Newcastle;
- Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre, Bendigo and La Trobe University;
- Macquarie Legal Centre, Sydney and Macquarie University;
- Kingsford Legal Centre, Sydney and University of NSW;
- Hume Riverina Community Legal Service, Wodonga and Charles Darwin University;
- SCALES Community Legal Centre, Perth and Murdoch University.
These funds will assist in the development or expansion of existing clinical legal partnership arrangements which include the opportunity for students to participate in alternative dispute resolution and to provide assistance to clients in rural and regional areas.
The Australian Government is also providing ongoing funding to four community legal centres under the Clinical Legal Education (CLE) program of the Commonwealth Community Legal Services Program.
Media Contact: Adam Siddique 0407 473630
