As members might know, Legal Aid is dependent on the Federal government for more than half of its funding. In light of this, the State Public Service Federation (SPSF) which the PSA and other state and territory public service unions belong to, has asked the PSA to participate in a Federal campaign for more Legal Aid funding. This is a particularly good time for a campaign as the review of the National Partnership Agreement on Legal Assistance Services has commenced and is due to be finalised at the end of this year. The review is being conducted by independent party Urbis Pty Ltd. The review will be supported by the Steering Committee (consisting of reps from the Justice Department and counterparts in states and territories and provides ‘strategic guidance and support’ and makes ‘key decisions for the review’), and the Departmental Committee (see below) consisting of reps from legal assistance key bodies, reps from each jurisdiction’s legal assistance sector, research orgs or industry bodies with expertise in the sector. The Departmental Committee will provide a forum for consultation and provide the Steering Committee and independent reviewer with guidance and input on key issues.
As part of this the PSA seeks the feedback and participation of members. As an immediate action, members can provide information about how the lack of funding has impacted on their ability to advocate for clients.
The survey can be accessed HERE. A submission to the review will be provided as part of the campaign.
Legal Aid Departmental Committee
- Eileen Peck
- Ann Miller
- Elanor Canning
- Mukesh Mahajan
- Justin Hutchinson
- Dane Bracewell
- Christopher Murnane
Your PSA Staff
Monika Wunderlin – Industrial Officer
What can you do?
- Ask a work colleague join the PSA today
- Distribute this bulletin to colleagues
- Attend PSA meetings at your worksite
- Get involved become a PSA Delegate
Not a member join online – https://membership.psa.asn.au/register