News & Media Releases
National Legal Aid Newsletter
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NLA Statement on Flood Failure to Future Fairness Inquiry Report
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics have published their report on the inquiry into insurer’s responses to 2022 major flood claims Flood failure to future fairness. The report highlights the critical service that the legal assistance sector and other community organisations provide for the most disadvantaged communities affected by floods.
31/10/2024
NLA media release: Independent Children’s Lawyer Program at Crisis Point
Legal Aid Commissions face a nation-wide crisis in the sustainability of the Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) Program. The challenges for these lawyers was a key discussion point at the National Independent Children’s Lawyer conference held in Perth yesterday, where more than 100 Independent Children’s Lawyers were in attendance.
29/10/2024
NLA & WLSA media statement: Family Violence should be considered in property disputes under Family Law Act
Today, Women’s Legal Services Australia and National Legal Aid will tell the Australian Parliament that family violence must be a factor considered in family law property disputes.
18/10/2024
Australian Human Rights Commission (Cost Protection) Bill passed
The Australian Human Rights Commission (Cost Protection) Bill was passed last week. Please see linked a joint media statement for more information.
25/09/2024
Legal aid DV funding call ahead of meeting of Attorneys-General
The Federal and State-Territory Attorneys-General are meeting on Tuesday to agree to the allocation of the $3.9 billion investment in legal assistance announced at the National Cabinet meeting on domestic violence a few weeks ago.
23/09/2024
National Legal Aid statement – Royal Commission identifies need for free legal assistance to support veterans
National Legal Aid welcomes key findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Key points of final report of the inquiry include the need for veterans to be supported by advocates when applying for compensation and praise for the work of the Defence and Veterans Legal Service (DAVLS). This free service is an initiative of National Legal Aid, the peak body for Australia’s eight legal aid commissions. DAVLS helped veterans make submissions to the Royal Commission and make applications for veteran compensation and other entitlements. DAVLS will close this month following the conclusion of the inquiry.
11/09/2024
National Legal Aid statement – National Legal Aid welcomes announcement of additional funding for legal assistance services
National Legal Aid welcomes the announcement by National Cabinet of additional funding for legal assistance services and longer term funding certainty under a new Access to Justice Partnership.
06/09/2024
National Legal Aid launches landmark national survey of Legal Aid Private Practitioners
A landmark survey is underway to gain national data on the demographics and experiences Legal Aid Private Practitioners.
26/08/2024
National Legal Aid statement – Legal Aid Domestic and Family Violence crisis puts women at risk
The legal assistance sector is calling for an urgent funding commitment from the Federal Government to address the domestic violence crisis after the release of the Yearly Report on the Progress of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032. Legal Aid Commissions are a critical frontline service providing over 32,000 family law grants of aid and over 14,000 domestic and family violence related duty lawyer services nationally each year. An extra $317 million is needed annually to meet demand for assistance and stop women from being turned away by legal aid.
22/08/2024
Legal Aid funding in crisis – is there a fix? Launch of options paper
National Legal Aid has commissioned Impact Economics and Policy to develop a funding options paper. This paper examines several options for increased legal assistance funding. It is intended to encourage conversations with government and other stakeholders concerned with legal assistance about what is possible, and to detail the risks and benefits of the options outlined. The options identified include a legal sector levy with a tiered approach based on how much legal assistance work law firms undertake, a social levy utilising gambling revenue and a HECS like loan system.
10/07/2024
Domestic and family violence legal services urge Federal and State Governments to introduce suite of national reforms to stop crisis
A coalition of legal assistance services are calling on the Federal and State/Territory Governments to introduce a series of reforms to address the domestic and family violence crisis, including a family violence risk information scheme, investment in and coordination of legal assistance services and reforms to visas for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.
03/06/2024
NLA Statement on the Final Report of the Independent Review of National Legal Assistance Partnership
National Legal Aid welcomes the release of the NLAP Review Report. The Report acknowledges that the legal assistance sector has been under-resourced for more than a decade and its 39 recommendations outline a range of reforms that acknowledge this and aim to re-build the sector, both in terms of expanding service delivery capacity and in solidifying infrastructure, evidence and sustainability.
12/05/2024
National Legal Aid welcomes the National Legal Assistance Partnership Independent Review Report and calls for an implementation plan
National Legal Aid (NLA) welcomes the release of the final report of the Independent Review (the Review) of the National Legal Assistance Partnership (NLAP).
29/05/2024
Federal Government listens and designs an appeals body to restore trust in government decisions post Robodebt
Economic Justice Australia and National Legal Aid welcome the Federal Government’s new administrative review body, which passed the Senate today. The new Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) aims to better help people appeal government decisions and enable effective independent review of social security decisions.
28/05/2024
Legal Aid urges Federal Government to make long term investment in legal assistance
National Legal Aid welcomes indexation of National Legal Assistance Partnership (NLAP) core funding and the announcement of funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services, Family Violence Prevention Legal Services and Community Legal Centres to address workforce gaps.
15/05/2024
Release of legal assistance data good first step in better understanding access to justice
National Legal Aid welcomes the first ever release of national legal assistance data by the Australian Bureau of Statistics as an important first step in providing the full picture of access to justice in Australia.
09/05/2024
Continuation of vital family law funding welcomed
National Legal Aid (NLA) has welcomed the MYEFO commitment to providing $17.1 million to Legal Aid Commissions across Australia in recognition of the ongoing impact of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) reforms.
14/12/2023
A huge step forward in access to justice in discrimination claims
The Power to Prevent Coalition welcomes the costs reforms introduced in parliament on 15 November 2023 by the Attorney General, The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC. The Bill will implement recommendation 25 of the Respect@Work Report.
04/12/2023
First for Australia in discrimination law – legal costs risks to be reduced for those experiencing workplace discrimination and sexual harassment
The Attorney General, The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC, has this month introduced a bill that aims to remove financial barriers that prevent victims of workplace discrimination and sexual harassment from seeking justice. This is a breakthrough development for victim-survivor rights to legal justice, and a significant change from the changes being considered by Government 12 months ago.
30/11/2023
New research shows Legal Aid on the brink of failure amid rising demand
National Legal Aid commissioned Impact Economics to provide updated modelling of the 2014 Productivity Commission Access to Justice Report recommendations as they pertain to Legal Aid. This report – Justice on the Brink – estimates that an increase of $484 million in Legal Aid funding per year is required to address the gaps identified in the Productivity Commission Report.
22/11/2023
National Legal Aid welcomes the passing of the Family Law Amendment Bill 2023
National Legal Aid welcomes the passing of the Family Law Amendment Bill in Parliament today.
27/07/2023
First Nations voices at the centre of With You Training
First Nations lawyers, psychologists and people with a lived experience of trauma gather to ensure First Nations voices are at the centre of With You Training.
10/10/2023
Robodebt report highlights the connection between the public good and legal assistance
National Legal Aid welcomes the final report of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme and calls for the implementation of all 57 recommendations including a review of funding for legal assistance.
27/07/2023
Legal assistance review is the opportunity to deliver access to justice as demand grows during tough times
Australia’s leading legal assistance and peak professional representative bodies are calling on the Commonwealth Government to keep justice within reach of our most disadvantaged, ahead of its mid-cycle review of funding for legal assistance services.
20/06/2023
Legal assistance services look to the National Legal Assistance partnership Review as an opportunity for vital investment
National Legal Aid welcomes the significant Budget commitment to ending violence against women and children and its focus on ending violence against First Nations women and children.
10/05/2023
Family Law changes are supported by key legal assistance services
National Legal Aid has joined with Women’s Legal Services Australia in support of the Family Law Amendment Bill.
09/05/23
NLA supports findings of the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor’s Review
National Legal Aid supports the findings of the Independent National Security Monitor’s Review and calls for urgent consideration of its recommendations.
20/04/2023
Major Resources
NLA Strategic Plan
Our purpose is to lead and encourage a national system of legal aid which allows economically disadvantaged people to obtain access to justice and to provide a forum for engagement at a national level.
National Partnership Agreement on Legal Assistance Services
This Agreement will facilitate access to justice for disadvantaged people in Australia through the delivery of legal assistance services.
National Initiatives
With You
A training package for trauma-informed, rights-based legal services to people experiencing distress, poor mental health and/or suicidality.
With You training will be available nationally in early 2024 and will be offered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services, Community Legal Centres, Family Violence Prevention Legal Services, and Legal Aid Commissions.
Defence & Veterans Legal Service
A free national service that provides independent information and legal advice to support Australian Defence Force personnel and veterans, as well as their families, carers and supporters, to safely share their experiences with the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Simple, smart separation
A ground-breaking new service has been launched to help separating couples resolve their disagreements online. amica is a simple, affordable and quick way for couples to agree on parenting, property and money issues when they separate.
Your Story Disability Legal Support
A free national legal service that provides information and advice to members of the public who want to participate in the Disability Royal Commission.
This service is a joint initiative of National Legal Aid and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services.
Family Violence Law Help
Family Violence Law Help is a national website for people wanting to understand domestic and family violence, the law and where to get help. This website was developed by the Domestic Violence Unit of Legal Aid NSW on behalf of National Legal Aid.