News from nlaf en-au Thu, 6 Feb 2020 16:58:23 GMT CeRDI Content Builder Version 3.0 Copyright 2020 - nlaf http://www.nlaf.org.au/public_resource_details.php?resource_id=1086 This Highlights Report for October to December 2019 outlines the newly formed Doli incapax Working Group. It also includes an overview of the ongoing work of existing groups in relation to collaborative service planning, the impact of bicycle fines on young people and analysis of data on the over-representation of Aboriginal persons in the prison population. 2020-01-30 10:43:02 N N N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/collaborative_service_planning.php The discussion paper on the proposed metropolitan catchments for collaborative service planning which have been developed through the NLAF Working Group is now available 2019-12-13 15:43:56 N N N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/newsletters.php This Highlights Report for the third quarter of 2019 covers issues such as the impact of bicycle fines on young people and Aboriginal communities, the work being done on bail conditions and how to reduce the high volume of breaches of bail for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It also outlines revised regional catchments for collaborative service planning. 2019-10-24 12:34:56 N N N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/collaborative_service_planning.php Revised regional catchments have been developed through the NLAF Collaborative Service Planning Working Group. A map showing the catchments as at October 2019 is now available 2019-10-23 12:15:06 N N N http://www.nlaf.org.au/public_resource_details.php?resource_id=1057 The Highlights Report for the second quarter of 2019 covers issues such the presumption of doli incapax, BOCSAR data on breaches of bail for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, collaborative service planning, youth justice and more. 2019-08-26 10:28:01 26 August 2019 00:00 Y N N http://www.nlaf.org.au/public_resource_details.php?resource_id=1058 The Highlights Report for the first quarter of 2019 covers issues such as age of criminal responsibility, Aboriginal incarceration, collaborative service planning, repeat traffic offenders and more. 2019-05-16 15:24:47 Y N N http://www.lawfoundation.net.au/ljf/app/85475F4E1ED820B7CA256F4600008FB4.html The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW seeks to appoint a part-time Project Manager to provide secretariat and project management support to the New South Wales Legal Assistance Forum (NLAF). 2019-06-06 12:58:57 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/public_resource_details.php?resource_id=1036 This report summarises what the NSW Legal Assistance Forum has been working on over the past three months, and NLAF's current key areas of focus. 2019-01-24 10:26:07 N N N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/newsletters.php#2018 This report summarises what the NSW Legal Assistance Forum has been working on over the past few months, and NLAF's current key areas of focus. 2018-10-31 16:19:04 N N N https://mailchi.mp/lawfoundation/research-alert-locating-demand-updating-the-need-for-legal-assistance-services-indicators-v51b744402 The Need for Legal Assistance Services(NLAS) indicators have been updated following the release of Census data in 2018. NLAS indicators help to target legal assistance resources at those who are most in need. They provide a census-based measure of the geographic distribution of potential demand for legal assistance services. 2018-12-20 09:22:01 N N N https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/free-travel-expanded-for-homeless-and-disadvantaged-victorians-20181005-p50825.html Homeless and disadvantaged Victorians can now travel for free on public transport under an Andrews government trial. 2018-10-25 14:44:11 N N N https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2018/10/ndis-illusion-people-complex-needs/?utm_source=Pro+Bono+Australia+-+email+updates&utm_campaign=264aa2d286-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_08_18_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5ee68172fb-264aa2d286-147761929&mc_cid=264 Many National Disability Insurance Scheme recipients with complex and challenging support needs are not seeing the benefits the NDIS is meant to deliver, Victoria's Public Advocate says. 2018-10-04 11:44:55 N Y N https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/release-report-on-youth-detention-20181001-p5072l.html "Shock at the harrowing images in an ABC report in 2016 convinced the Turnbull government to call an urgent royal commission into the brutal treatment of juvenile offenders in the Northern Territory. Within 12 months the commissioners recommended major reforms to protect young NT offenders." 2018-10-04 11:30:16 N Y N www.drugrehab.com/guides/domestic-abuse A new educational guide about Domestic Violence and Addiction has just been launched. 2018-09-05 10:03:17 N Y N https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/lcdocs/inquiries/2466/Final%20report%20-%20Drug%20rehabilitation%20services%20-%206%20August%202018.pdf 2018-08-07 14:10:59 N Y N http://www.lawfoundation.net.au/ljf/site/templates/UpdatingJustice/$file/UJ_56_Resolution_disadvantage.pdf This paper presents new findings from the Legal Australia-Wide Survey (LAW Survey). "New analysis of the Legal Australia-Wide Survey demonstrates the association between legal problem resolution, level of disadvantage and legal capability. The findings show that disadvantaged Australians are more likely to experience legal problems and less likely to resolve their legal problems than other people in the community." "The results show that the small minority of highly disadvantaged Australians at greater risk of experiencing unresolved legal problems should remain a priority focus of public legal assistance services policy." 2018-08-07 12:28:12 N Y N file:///C:/Users/nlaf/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/FGO6WG95/NPA%20and%20ILAP%20Review%20Submissions%20Process%20Flyer.pdf Reviews of the National Partnership Agreement (NPA) on Legal Assistance Services and Indigenous Legal Assistance Program (ILAP) 2018-08-02 09:43:38 N Y N https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2018/07/concerns-ndis-fraud-squad-will-criminalise-people-disability/ "Concerns exist the National Disability Insurance Scheme fraud squad will -criminalise people with disability-, with advocates questioning its focus and value amid a service-delivery backlog." 2018-08-01 10:15:36 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/newsletters.php See NLAF's Quarterly Highlights Report for March to June 2018 for an update on what is happening in the NSW Legal Assistance Sector. 2018-07-26 11:14:54 N Y N https://boilingfrog.com.au/renewed-calls-to-raise-the-age/ "Indigenous leaders and human rights organisations including Amnesty International have stepped up a campaign to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility for children in Australia." 2018-07-18 15:28:31 N Y N https://www.theage.com.au/national/debt-trap-people-imprisoned-for-crime-are-being-punished-twice-20180705-p4zplh.html "Being incarcerated is not the only punishment faced by those who are convicted and jailed. Prisoners are often punished financially. It is almost impossible for them to do simple things such as cancelling direct debits for an electricity or gas service; cancelling leases on rental properties; or paying mobile phone bills. When they leave prison, they can be hit with unexpected debts." 2018-07-11 12:21:03 N Y N https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-feed/un-grills-australia-on-multiple-failures-to-protect-women-against-violence "Cuts to women's shelters and legal aid, the merging of the Family Court with the Federal Circuit Court, and the influence of Men's Rights Activists on policy making were roundly criticised. This week, the key UN Committee on gender equality asked a multi-agency Australian government delegation how Australia is implementing the primary convention on women's rights and gender equality." 2018-07-11 12:05:45 N Y N https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jun/27/plea-to-fix-broken-system-as-nt-reveals-child-prison-population-entirely-indigenous?CMP=share_btn_tw Northern Territory Aboriginal legal service is pleading with the government to try alternatives to juvenile incarceration after recent revelations that every child in NT's detention facilities is Indigenous. 2018-07-04 15:50:14 N Y N https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/not-soft-on-crime-push-for-specialist-indigenous-court-20180623-p4zn9b.html The state's barristers and police are pushing the NSW government to urgently fund a specific indigenous court in a bid to lower the "spiralling number" of Aboriginal people in jail. 2018-06-28 14:22:54 N Y N https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/calls-continue-for-act-government-to-raise-criminal-age-20180620-p4zmn0.html The Human Rights Law Centre has called on the ACT government to raise the age a child can be held criminally responsible from 10 years old to 14 years old. 2018-06-28 14:20:44 N Y N https://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/Media/Pages/Review-of-Commonwealth-Legal-Assistance-Arrangements-14-May-2018.aspx Separate and concurrent reviews will be undertaken of the National Partnership Agreement on Legal Assistance Services 2015-2020 (NPA) and the Indigenous Legal Assistance Program (ILAP). The reviews are expected to commence in early June 2018 and completed in December 2018. They will help inform future funding arrangements for legal assistance services beyond 30 June 2020. 2018-05-31 11:52:11 N Y N https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2018/05/ndia-concerned-record-level-complaints/?utm_source=Pro+Bono+Australia+-+email+updates&utm_campaign=edbf7edd92-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_08_18_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5ee68172fb-edbf7edd92-147761941&mc_cid Pro Bono Australia News: "The National Disability Insurance Agency has admitted it is 'concerned' about the record level of complaints it is receiving, after new figures revealed the agency received more than 4,000 complaints in the past three months." 2018-05-31 11:31:31 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/newsletters.php Find out more about what NLAF has been working on during the first quarter of 2018. 2018-05-10 14:56:19 N Y N https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/legal-affairs/data-on-incarceration-rates-raise-pressure-to-close-the-gap/news-story/df5602a679b23f3cd209043b8495fddd "Disproportionate indigenous incarceration rates are in sharp focus with two significant new documents: one, a submission to the Closing the Gap policy review calling for sweeping reform, and the other a fine-grained data analysis showing the unequal rate at which crime problems are resolved for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders."- Stephen Fitzpatrick, The Australian 2018-05-10 09:42:25 N Y N https://news.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/link/id/zzzz5ae6456a22cf5800/page.html#zzzz5ac5a649a4dc9774 Legal Aid NSW News: Recent law reform work highlights the impact of National Disability Insurance Scheme market failure on some of our most vulnerable clients. 2018-05-02 17:06:51 N Y N http://files.constantcontact.com/2b04b2ce601/d3b51741-75e8-4174-aa69-2bbe33004d8c.pdf The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW have published a paper on 'How fines impact on disadvantaged people'. 2018-04-26 10:13:25 N Y N https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchOwQYos1agcOWZyRapZ30epE3xtoKtr-9OdxCnyGt6eWhSg/viewform CLC NSW invites you to join representatives from across the legal sector in NSW in signing an open letter to the Commonwealth and NSW Attorneys General to implement the recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission's Report. If you or your organisation wants to sign the open letter please complete the online form found in this link. 2018-04-26 10:10:42 N Y N https://nit.com.au/prison-report-targets-child-protection/ The National Indigenous Times reports: A national inquiry into child protection laws and processes affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is one of 35 wide-ranging recommendations in a major report on the over-representation of Indigenous people in Australian prisons. 2018-04-18 16:59:31 N Y N https://theconversation.com/we-need-evidence-based-law-reform-to-reduce-rates-of-indigenous-incarceration-94228 On March 28, the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) report on reducing Indigenous incarceration was tabled in parliament. Its recommendations aim to decrease Indigenous contact with the criminal justice system and reform punitive laws that entrench Indigenous disadvantage. 2018-04-11 14:13:11 N Y N https://theconversation.com/mandatory-sentencing-leads-to-unjust-unfair-outcomes-it-doesnt-make-us-safe-52086 "A system can't be fair or just if the marginalised and vulnerable are the first to be affected by it. Juveniles, persons with mental illness or cognitive impairment, and Indigenous peoples are often disproportionately impacted by mandatory sentencing." 2018-03-29 09:39:44 N Y N http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/calls-for-change-amid-indigenous-crisis/news-story/7017bc22a9080a998d7f27c498f0dd4b Governments are being urged to take immediate action as a new report shows the rate of indigenous incarceration is a "persistent and growing problem". 2018-03-28 16:27:03 N Y N https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/03/15/opinion/flat-fines-wealthy-poor.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage "For people living on the economic margins, even minor offenses can impose crushing financial obligations, trapping them in a cycle of debt and incarceration for non payment." 2018-03-20 10:11:53 N Y N https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/law-changes-could-see-pokie-machine-numbers-rise-in-vulnerable-areas-20180311-p4z3v8.html "Proposed changes to poker machine laws announced by the NSW government could increase the number of machines in high-risk areas and increase pokie profits by an estimated $80 million a year." 2018-03-14 12:00:44 N Y N https://mailchi.mp/lawfoundation/research-alert-fines-are-disadvantaged-people-at-a-disadvantage Using LAW Survey data, this paper reveals that fines problems disproportionately affect disadvantaged people. The most disadvantaged were particularly vulnerable to fines problems, and the adverse consequences resulting from fines problems increased as the level of disadvantage increased. 2018-03-14 11:39:09 N Y N http://www.lawfoundation.net.au/ljf/site/templates/media/$file/MR_2018_DVU_eval.pdf The Domestic Violence Unit (DVU) of Legal Aid NSW began delivering services in January 2016. A new study by the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW, Legal Aid NSW Domestic Violence Unit: process evaluation of the first nine months, examined the early operation of the DVU. 2018-02-28 16:52:59 N Y N https://www.ndis.gov.au/medias/documents/pathway-review-report/Report-NDIS-Pathway-Review.pdf Published by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), this report of the Pathway Review (the Review) brings together work undertaken by the NDIA with participants and other stakeholders to fully review the pathway experience. The report is a result of all of that work up to February 2018. 2018-02-28 16:58:11 N Y N http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/un-cautions-australia-over-welfare-policies/9381888 UN's Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty has delivered a scathing assessment of Australia's welfare policies describing them as 'punitive' and harmful to women. He accuses the government of pursuing policies that 'stigmatise' and 'marginalise' poorer sections of society. 2018-02-14 12:42:47 N Y N https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/25-years-of-the-disability-discrimination-act-panel-discussion-tickets-42481386972 The 25th anniversary of the commencement of the operation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) (DDA) will occur on 1 March 2018. To celebrate, the Australian Human Rights Commission will be hosting a panel discussion at PWC's Barangaroo Offices in Sydney on this day. The event will include a facilitated panel discussion on the successes and challenges of the DDA. 2018-02-14 09:36:10 N Y N http://www.lawfoundation.net.au/grants The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW's Grants Program aims to improve access to justice, particularly for socially and economically disadvantaged people, by supporting selected projects to improve access and decrease barriers to justice, or through research, to identify need or ways to improve access to justice. The first grant round for 2018 opened on Tuesday 23 January and closes at 5pm, Saturday 31 March 2018. For more information, download our flyer or email grants@lawfoundation.net.au 2018-01-24 11:05:36 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/public_resource_details.php?resource_id=1007 View our newsletter for all the latest news of the NSW Legal Assistance Forum. 2018-01-18 11:18:45 N Y N http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/andrews-government-45-million-homelessness-plan-critical-turning-point-20180112-p4yyfq.html A $45 million state government initiative targeting Victorians sleeping rough has been hailed a -critical turning point- in the ongoing battle to combat the chronic issue of homelessness. 2018-01-18 15:05:00 N Y N https://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2018/jan/02/2018-global-housing-crisis-us-canada-homelessness?CMP=share_btn_tw Homelessness is on the rise, even in the world's richest countries. We are at a critical moment. Globally, housing conditions have never been this fraught. Homelessness and its accompanying death toll are on the rise, while the number of vacant homes owned by corporate and high net worth investors continues to grow. Data from Australia indicates a whopping 1 million vacant investor homes. 2018-01-10 11:37:35 N Y N http://www.themercury.com.au/news/scales-of-justice/jail-challenge-lies-ahead-for-tasmania/news-story/e53f68826f21c2d7378d98ade01968d8 Simply throwing criminals in jail doesn't solve the underlying problems of law and order, experts say. 2018-01-10 10:47:09 N Y N http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-19/bourke-police-operation-cuts-domestic-violence/8959742 Community collaboration to stem crime in Bourke is being hailed with violent offence rates the lowest they have been in decades. The latest crime figures have shown a plummet of almost 25 per cent in domestic violence related offences in the past 24 months to June this year. 2018-01-04 13:52:41 N Y N http://www.smh.com.au/comment/the-years-creeping-tide-of-racism-20171228-h0b5yt.html Was 2017 the year of the white supremacist? There are signs that intolerance, prejudice and hatred may be on the rise. White supremacist and anti-immigrant groups, inspired by global developments, have been operating in open view, in ways unseen for two decades. 2018-01-03 11:20:20 N Y N https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/dec/29/prisons-at-breaking-point-but-australia-is-still-addicted-to-incarceration?CMP=share_btn_tw The Guardian reports that even as crime rates fall, jails all over the country are experiencing significant overcrowding at vast costs to taxpayers. 2018-01-03 10:22:10 N Y N http://www.theage.com.au/comment/the-dignity-of-people-behind-bars-should-never-be-negotiable-20171215-h058wx.html December 17 marks two years since the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the Nelson Mandela Rules, the minimum standards for how we should treat people behind bars. And so it is fitting that today we judge our nation through Mandela's eyes, how we choose to treat the men, women and children who are locked away in prisons across Australia. 2017-12-20 10:23:20 N Y N http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-03/lawyers-not-convinced-legal-reforms-will-clear-backlog/9218536 The NSW Bar Association said the reforms, which are aimed at encouraging offenders to plead guilty to crimes early, will not reduce the enormous backlog in the District Court, which deals with the majority of serious criminal cases. More funding for judges and appropriate legal representatives is required. 2017-12-06 17:02:36 N Y N http://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace-relations/young-and-working-hard-to-get-out-of-longterm-unemployment-20171130-gzvqj9.html Close to one in five unemployed young people have been out of work for at least a year despite trying just as hard as older jobseekers to find employment, a report has found. 2017-12-06 14:10:32 N Y N http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-26/doctors-lawyers-call-to-raise-age-of-criminal-responsibility/9194322?pfmredir=sm Doctors and Aboriginal legal groups are leading a push to convince all state and territory governments to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years old. 2017-11-29 09:52:08 N Y N http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/plea-for-premier-to-reverse-disability-funding-cuts-as-pressure-mounts-20171116-gzmubw.html The state government is under increasing pressure to reverse a total funding cut to dozens of NSW organisations that advocate for people with a disability, as Queensland follows suit and the state opposition commits to maintaining the funding. 2017-11-22 10:18:46 N Y N http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lawreport/acquired-brain-injuries-and-the-criminal-justice-system/9035010 The overall population with acquired brain injuries (ABI) are two per cent, yet a study by Victoria Corrections found that 42 per cent of male prisoners and 33 per cent of female prisoners have an ABI. 2017-11-08 16:25:18 N Y N http://www.valid.org.au/sites/default/files/Disability_Compass.pdf?platform=hootsuite The study reported here draws on the experiences of women with disabilities who have experienced violence and abuse and used tertiary response services. It situates the perspectives of women with disabilities within case study sites-domestic and family violence (DFV) and two specialist models that provide tertiary response services to people with disabilities and expands on the promising practice within these services through action research with local groups formed from the sites. This research has informed the development of recommendations and guidelines for improved access and effective practice. 2017-11-07 11:28:31 N Y N http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/magistrate-david-heilpern-speaks-of-vicarious-trauma-in-tristan-jepson-lecture-20171023-gz6il8.html David Heilpern has given a revealing account of the trauma associated with presiding over horrific criminal trials. 2017-11-01 11:24:01 N Y N http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/5019393/banned-drivers-can-now-apply-to-have-licence-returned-in-nsw/ Drivers banned from the roads in NSW can now apply to have their disqualifications overturned under new laws. 2017-11-01 11:13:32 N Y N http://www.afr.com/business/legal/online-ombudsman-for-everyday-claims-not-a-rolls-royce-court-sir-anthony-mason-20171018-gz3s0f Former High Court chief justice Sir Anthony Mason, AC, KBE, has criticised the legal system as prohibitively expensive, calling for the introduction of an online ombudsman-style scheme to deal with disputes separate to the "Rolls-Royce" courts. 2017-10-25 10:09:55 N Y N http://www.lawfoundation.net.au/justice_awards The Justice Awards were held on Thursday 19 October 2017 at NSW Parliament House. The Hon. Sir Anthony Mason AC KBE GBM, Foundation patron and former Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, gave the 2017 Law and Justice Address. 2017-10-25 10:01:26 N Y N http://communitylegalqld.org.au/node/1979 The National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC), the peak body for Community Legal Centres (CLCs) in Australia, welcomed the Attorney-General's announcement of additional funding for six Community Legal Centres to establish and expand specialist domestic violence units. 2017-10-25 09:56:15 N Y N http://www.moreechampion.com.au/story/5002034/als-moree-wins-justice-award/ Moree's Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) has taken out a major gong at the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW's 2017 Justice Awards for helping to improve housing conditions for disadvantaged indigenous people as part of a collaborative project. 2017-10-25 09:54:58 N Y N http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-20/could-special-treatment-for-indigenous-offenders-lower-jail-rate/8962912 The New South Wales Bar Association wants Aboriginal offenders to be given special consideration by the courts in a bid to keep them out of jail. 2017-09-27 10:32:52 N Y N http://mva.financialrights.org.au/ The Motor Vehicle Accident Problem Solver can help people through the complications, pitfalls and hurdles of car insurance. Click on the Motor Vehicle Accident Problem Solver button, answer a few simple questions and the Problem Solver will lead you to the actions you should take and provide you with all advice, sample letters, detailed fact sheets you require. And if you really get stuck you can always email us your unique and tricky question. 2017-07-17 16:15:14 N Y N http://www.alsnswact.org.au/media_releases/38 The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (ALS) has announced an organisational restructure which will build a stronger, more efficient organisation in order to meet the increasing demands for high quality legal and support services for Aboriginal people in need. 2017-06-23 11:05:26 N Y N http://www.clcnsw.org.au/cb_pages/news/Communitylegalcentreswelcome6millionfundingboostforaccesstojusticeinNSW.php The 2017-18 NSW Budget confirms the NSW government's commitment to increasing access to justice in NSW, in the form of an additional $6 million over two years. 2017-06-23 11:03:27 N Y N http://www.lawfoundation.net.au/ljf/app/85475F4E1ED820B7CA256F4600008FB4.html The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW seeks to appoint a part-time Project Manager to provide secretariat and project management support to the New South Wales Legal Assistance Forum (NLAF www.nlaf.org.au). 2017-06-23 09:07:10 N Y N https://www.humanrights.gov.au/news/stories/commission-welcomes-new-president The Attorney-General, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC today announced Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM will be the Commission's next President. Professor Croucher has been with the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) for more than 10 years, almost eight of those as President. 2017-06-21 09:51:54 N Y N https://www.lawcouncil.asn.au/media/media-releases/political-attacks-on-the-courts-a-very-worrying-trend?t=1&cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjc18y&iid=37418505e5d1498e9723224cbe8c397d&uid=300691168&nid=244+285282312 The Law Council, speaking on behalf of the Australian legal profession, is calling for an end to political attacks on the judiciary, especially in cases where they might be perceived to interfere with matters currently before the courts. 2017-06-14 16:30:58 N Y N http://mailchi.mp/lawfoundation/research-alert-impact-of-legal-problems-on-small-business-owners?t=1&cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjcw%3D%3D&iid=22271e526c8c49419920ddc1f49cec20&uid=300691168&nid=244+281088008 Among LAW Survey respondents, 13% of business owners reported business-related legal problems in the previous 12 months. Of these problems, 65% resulted in adverse consequences such as loss of income, through to stress-related illness, physical ill-health and relationship breakdown. This paper highlights the need to support businesses to deal with legal problems in the round. 2017-06-14 13:55:02 N Y N https://www.piac.asn.au/2017/06/01/five-things-you-may-not-know-about-health-care-and-immigration-detention/ In this video Senior Solicitor, Jane Leibowitz explains five things you may not know about health care and immigration detention. 2017-06-08 09:55:08 N Y N http://tunswblog.blogspot.com.au/2017/06/nsw-governments-affordability-pledge.html Announced yesterday, the policy has three different components: incentives for first home buyers/disincentives for foreign investors; fast-tracking development at higher densities; and building more infrastructure to support communities. Careful observers will note that tenants continue to be the real forgotten people, as rental affordability doesn't even rate a mention. 2017-06-08 09:25:37 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/LJF50thAnniversaryResearchSymposium20June2017.php The Reshaping Justice: Client-centred service delivery, technology and innovation symposium will examine current issues facing the sector and how evidence-based research can be used to shape legal services that are responsive to client needs and interests. Issues include the use of data for evidence-based decision making and the development of client-centred innovations in civil, family and criminal law. The implications of technology for access to justice will also be explored. 2017-05-31 11:34:28 31 May 2017 00:00 20 June 2017 00:00 N Y N https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/news/spot-social-media-scams-national-consumer-fraud-week-2017 During this year's National Consumer Fraud Week (15 - 19 May), Scamwatch is providing advice to Australians to help them 'spot social media scams'. 2017-05-19 09:41:39 N Y N https://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2017/SecondQuarter/Improving-family-violence-support-in-family-law-courts.aspx 23 Family Advocacy and Support Services are being established by legal aid commissions across Australia, 14 of which are already operating. Legal Aid NSW operates this service in Parramatta and others in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, and partners with Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services and Relationships Australia to ensure clients also receive necessary social support. 2017-05-17 15:37:51 N Y N https://www.hrlc.org.au/news/2017/5/10/over-represented-overlooked-report The over-imprisonment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women is a growing national crisis that is being overlooked by all levels of government in Australia, the Human Rights Law Centre and Change the Record said in a new report to be launched today. The imprisonment rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women has skyrocketed nearly 250 per cent since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women make up around 34 per cent of the female prison population but only 2 per cent of the adult female population. The report, Over-represented and overlooked: the crisis of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's growing over-imprisonment, calls for system-wide change and outlines 18 recommendations to redress racialised and gendered justice system outcomes. 2017-05-17 13:40:02 N Y N http://www.naclc.org.au/cb_pages/files/Media%20Releases/2017/NACLC-CLA%20Budget%20Night%20MR%20May17%20Final.pdf The National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC) tonight welcomed an additional $39 million in the Federal Budget for Community Legal Centres (NACLC), reversing the 30% cut to Commonwealth funding for CLCs that was due to take effect on 1 July 2017. 2017-05-11 14:25:09 N Y N http://consumeraction.org.au/budget-2017-new-australian-financial-complaints-authority/ The new 'one-stop shop' financial complaints authority announced in the Federal Budget will help Australians get free, fair and fast dispute resolution against financial institutions. -Australians need one, high quality service to resolve their disputes against financial institutions quickly and fairly. The one stop shop announced today is a sensible move that can help Australians get justice,- said Gerard Brody, CEO of Consumer Action Law Centre. 2017-05-11 14:23:13 N Y N http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/for-lawyers/news/news-for-lawyers/new-ceo-for-legal-aid-nsw Legal Aid NSW has welcomed its first Aboriginal Chief Executive Officer with the appointment of Brendan Thomas, the current Deputy Secretary of the Department of Justice. 2017-05-06 11:05:04 N Y N http://www.housing.nsw.gov.au/social-housing/tenant-amnesty-2017 The Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) is running a tenant amnesty for all FACS Housing and Aboriginal Housing Office approved household members from 24 April – 11 June 2017. Tenants who declare new sources of income, financial assets, owned property and/or unauthorised occupants during this time period will not have their subsidy backdated, or fear prosecution. 2017-04-27 13:22:50 N Y N http://www.naclc.org.au/cb_pages/news/FundingCutsReversed.php The National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC) today welcomed the Federal Government's announcement that it will reverse the 30% cut to Commonwealth funding for Community Legal Centres (CLCs) that was due to take effect on 1 July 2017. The Attorney-General and Minister for Women made the announcement in Brisbane earlier today. The announcement includes $39 million for CLCs over three years additional funding under the National Partnership Agreement on Legal Assistance Services. 2017-04-27 08:37:23 N Y N http://www.justice.nsw.gov.au/Pages/media-news/media-releases/2017/NSW-Govt-Rescues-Free-Legal-Service.aspx The NSW Government will save Community Legal Centres (CLCs) from a funding crisis by providing more than $6 million in additional support over the next two years, Attorney General Mark Speakman announced today during a visit to the Central Coast. 2017-04-05 11:53:51 N Y N https://www.lawsociety.com.au/ForSolictors/Education/ThoughtLeadership/flip/index.htm An initiative of the Law Society, it is Australia's first comprehensive report to help lawyers better understand and tackle future challenges and opportunities facing the profession. 2017-04-05 09:52:36 N Y N http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/for-lawyers/news/news-for-lawyers/media-release-help-with-centrelink-debt-notices-just-a-phone-call-away This NSW-first initiative will draw on the combined resources of Legal Aid NSW, LawAccess NSW, the Welfare Rights Centre and the Illawarra Legal Centre to deliver expert legal advice to people who have been told they owe a debt to Centrelink, including those who have received a so-called robo-debt or automated debt notice. A new streamlined process allows anyone calling in to the NSW legal information hotline LawAccess NSW in relation to a Centrelink debt to have their enquiry fast-tracked. 2017-04-05 09:49:17 N Y N http://www.afr.com/news/law-school-deans-take-funding-fight-to-george-brandis-20170317-gv0e7f Deans of law schools across the nation have joined forces to lobby the federal government to stop funding cuts to legal assistance which they say will deny access to thousands of people and put pressure on the private sector to plug the gap. 2017-03-22 13:44:00 N Y N https://www.piac.asn.au/2017/03/06/urgent-need-for-more-legal-services-for-dv-victims-report/ More resources are needed to address the complex legal needs of women escaping domestic violence, according to a new report, released today (6 March 2017) by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre. 2017-03-15 10:17:03 N Y N http://www.lawcouncil.asn.au/lawcouncil/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&layout=edit&id=580 The Law Council will be undertaking a comprehensive national review into the impediments to justice in Australia, focusing on those facing significant social and economic disadvantage in our community. This work will culminate in a final report at the end of November 2017, following a literature review and consultation process. 2017-03-13 19:24:34 N Y N http://financialrights.org.au/sample-letters/ The Financial Rights Legal Centre provides several letter templates that you can use to write to your creditors, insurers or Ombudsmen. The letter templates help you to write to the other party in different situations. You can add your own details such as your name, address and the reasons why you can't pay the money. None of your data is stored, so your privacy is secure. 2017-03-08 13:04:47 N Y N https://www.justiceconnect.org.au/10callsforchange STARTING ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2017, JUSTICE CONNECT HOMELESS LAW IS LAUNCHING TEN DAYS, TEN CALLS FOR CHANGE, A PROJECT AIMED AT PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN. 2017-03-08 12:59:24 N Y N https://www.piac.asn.au/2017/02/24/time-to-end-mental-health-insurance-discrimination/ Speaking at the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Life Insurance Industry today, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has called for an end to discriminatory policies and practices in the life insurance industry that have led to unfair treatment of people with mental health conditions. 2017-03-01 12:57:42 N Y N http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-12/community-legal-centres-push-to-reverse-funding-cuts/7730694 The National Association of Community Legal Centres is still hoping to convince the Federal Government to wind back planned funding cuts. 2017-02-22 10:33:01 N Y N https://files.tenants.org.au/policy/Unsettled_Report_2017.pdf Key findings from the Report: Renters face insecurity, poor-quality housing and discrimination - 83% of renters have no fixed-term lease or are on a lease of less than 12 months, 62% of people say they feel like they can't ask for changes, 50% of renters report experiencing discrimination when applying for a property, 50% of renters worried about being listed on a residential tenancy database, 20% of renters experiencing leaking, flooding and issues with mould, 8% of renters are living in a property in need of urgent repairs. 2017-02-22 09:59:43 N Y N http://www.fairfieldchampion.com.au/story/4469794/video-new-refugee-legal-service-launched-in-fairfield/ -By helping refugees understand their rights and responsibilities, we hope to give them the confidence to fully participate in Australian life and become self-reliant members of our community,- Legal Aid NSW Acting chief executive Richard Funston said. 2017-02-15 16:01:25 N Y N https://www.alrc.gov.au/news-media/media-release/commissioner-indigenous-incarceration The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) welcomes the appointment by Attorney-General, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, of His Honour Judge Matthew Myers AM as an ALRC Commissioner. Judge Myers will lead the new ALRC Inquiry into the high incarceration rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, announced by the Attorney-General in October 2016. 2017-02-15 13:20:00 N Y N http://nationalcongress.com.au/media-release-aboriginal-leaders-seek-new-relationship-government-historic-redfern-statement/ In the lead up to today's 9th Closing the Gap Report to Parliament, the leaders will call on the Prime Minister to support the historic Redfern Statement, a road map to better address the appalling disadvantage gap between Australia's First Peoples and non-Indigenous Australians by working with them as genuine partners. National Congress of Australia's First People's co-chair Mr Rod Little comments: -After 25 years, eight Federal election cycles, seven Prime Ministers, eight Ministers for Indigenous Affairs, 400 recommendations, and countless policies, policy changes, reports, funding promises and funding cuts it's time to draw a line in the sand. 2017-02-15 12:25:50 N Y N http://www.dpmc.gov.au/indigenous-affairs/prime-ministers-indigenous-advisory-council Prime Minister the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP and the Minister for Indigenous Affairs Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion announced on 8 February 2017 the first six members to be appointed for the second term of the Prime Minister's Indigenous Advisory Council. 2017-02-10 09:26:13 N Y N http://www.supremecourt.justice.nsw.gov.au/Documents/Publications/Speeches/Bathurst_20170102.pdf Doing right by all manner of people: Building a more inclusive legal system 2017-02-10 09:22:46 N Y N Members of the NSW Legal Assistance Forum (NLAF) are mourning the passing of its former Chair, Mr Bill Grant OAM. In 2005 Bill had the foresight to see the need for and value of the NLAF in facilitating access to justice through supporting cooperation and collaboration amongst services in the NSW community and justice sectors. He was a founding member as CEO of Legal Aid NSW along with CLCNSW and the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW. Bill was Chair of NLAF during the periods that he was CEO of Legal Aid NSW until December 2015. When presenting a gift from the NLAF to Bill on his retirement in November 2016 he was thanked for his leadership, commitment to and support of the NLAF as a Founder and Member from 2005 to 2016. Our deepest sympathy goes to his family, friends and many colleagues in the justice sector. Nassim Arrage, NLAF Chair, 25 January 2017 2017-01-29 21:07:36 29 January 2017 00:00 05 February 2017 00:00 N Y N http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=97b25f15a8fd168d78ce590d0&id=640ce561e7&e=946e753d5d It is with great pleasure to announce that Nassim Arrage will commence as NACLC CEO on Monday 6 February 2017. Nassim has worked in metropolitan and regional CLCs and has represented NSW in a number of legal assistance forums. Further, he has held positions on a number of CLC related and not for profit board and management committees demonstrating leadership, innovation, collaboration, change management, staff and stakeholder engagement and has overseen complex projects. The Board warmly welcome Nassim to NACLC and are very much looking forward to working with him to ensure NACLC is a strong, visible, leading, responsive and innovative national CLC peak. 2017-01-25 13:44:50 N Y N http://www.welfarerights.org.au/news/2017/1/9/new-factsheet-centrelink-online-debt-system If you receive a letter from Centrelink telling you to go onto myGov to confirm your income, or are contacted by a debt collector about a Centrelink debt assessed by the online system, this factsheet explains the letters you receive, how the online system works, and where you can find help. 2017-01-11 13:25:01 N Y N http://www.naclc.org.au/cb_pages/news/MediaReleaseMYEFOfailstohaltfundingcliffforCommunityLegalCentresandAboriginalandTorresStraitIslander.php The Mid-year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) announced today represents another missed opportunity by the Federal Government to guarantee access to vital legal help for vulnerable and disadvantaged people across Australia says the National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC) and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS). 2016-12-21 10:11:30 N Y N https://hrawards.humanrights.gov.au/news/stories/pat-anderson-ao-wins-2016-human-rights-medal As Chair of the Lowitja Institute and co-chair of the Prime Minister's Referendum Council, Pat Anderson has made an exceptional contribution to advancing the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly in regards to education, health, early childhood development, and violence against women and children. 2016-12-15 11:44:49 N Y N http://probonocentre.org.au/media/open-letter-mid-sized-australian-law-firms/ The impending cuts to the funding of Community Legal Centres from 1 July 2017 present serious risks, not only to the capacity of the legal assistance sector to assist low-income and disadvantaged people within the Australian community, but also the ability of many law firms to deliver much needed pro bono legal services. 2016-12-15 10:16:10 N Y N https://sna.etapestry.com/prod/viewEmailAsPage.do?personaRef=1059.0.87918606&databaseId=PublicInterestAdvocacyCentreL&memberId=1252762431&jobRef=1059.0.158033979&mailingId=32686846&erRef=1059.0.87918605&key=37aa5dfc44ddddd19d4311e2c7a240 'The recognition by government of the harm caused to Aboriginal people and communities by the policies of child removal, and the willingness to make reparations, is welcome. We look forward to reviewing the detail of the scheme,' said PIAC CEO Jonathon Hunyor. 2016-12-07 15:16:46 N Y N http://chp.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/NPAH-open-letter-to-PM-with-signatories-3.pdf The 209 undersigned organisations are seeking your urgent intervention to avert the human, economic and policy disaster that will occur if the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) is de-funded in 2017. 2016-12-07 14:18:47 N Y N http://lawsociety.com.au/about/news/1224468 President of Law Society of NSW, Gary Ulman, said Justice Susan Kiefel's appointment as Chief Justice in the High Court was a 'red letter day' for the legal profession. 2016-12-07 13:43:43 N Y N http://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/Pages/about-us/communications-toolkit.aspx The LawAccess NSW Communications Toolkit is intended to provide individuals and organisations with materials to help spread the word about LawAccess NSW across a range of channels, including websites, intranets social media ​​platforms and electronic and printed newsletters. You can use this toolkit to raise awareness of the LawAccess NSW service and connect those around you with ​a free service that may assist them with their legal problem. 2016-11-30 13:05:31 N Y N http://www.justice.nsw.gov.au/justicepolicy/Pages/lpclrd/lpclrd_consultation/Civil-Justice-Consultation.aspx More than 2 million people in NSW experience a civil justice problem every year. Research tells us, however, that many of us don't do anything to solve them.The purpose of this consultation paper is to get your feedback on ideas to achieve this, and to give you an opportunity to put your ideas forward. 2016-11-30 12:35:58 N Y N http://www.lawfoundation.net.au/grants To mark its 50 year anniversary, the Foundation has announced an Anniversary Grants Program that aims to support one or more projects (to a total value of $150,000) that contribute to achieving our mandate and reflect the Foundation's rigorous approach to addressing the legal needs of the community. 2016-11-23 09:36:24 N Y N http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2016/s4576325.htm Damian Griffis tells Lateline there is no support for Indigenous people with disabilities in the Northern Territory and the issue must be addressed immediately. While Jonathon Hunyor says jailing people with cognitive impairments is unacceptable. 2016-11-17 15:14:57 N Y N http://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/media-centre/find-a-media-release/2016-releases/16-380mr-cash-converters-to-pay-over-12m-following-asic-probe/ ASIC has agreed to accept an enforceable undertaking from Cash Converters following concerns that, in respect of small amount loans processed via its online website at www.cashconverters.com.au. 2016-11-10 12:48:51 N Y N http://lawsociety.com.au/ForSolictors/professionalsupport/supportingyou/BeingWellintheLaw/index.htm Being Well in the Law is a toolkit for lawyers. It draws on expert and multidisciplinary knowledge about the breadth of mental health problems and offers ideas to help everybody, young and old, deal with depression, anxiety and stress and learn to better manage the business and pressures of work and life. 2016-11-09 13:23:12 N Y N http://lawsociety.com.au/cs/groups/public/documents/internetcontent/1208600.pdf We are writing as the heads of Australia's eight law societies and the representatives of the nation's more than 60,000 practising solicitors, to voice our concerns about the impact of impending cuts to the legal assistance sector. 2016-11-09 13:17:31 N Y N http://www.lawsociety.com.au/about/news/1207146 A former child soldier who overcame the odds to become an inspirational community leader and criminal and refugee lawyer has been awarded the NSW Law Society President's Medal. 2016-11-02 10:47:26 N Y N http://probonocentre.org.au/apbn/oct-2016/new-editions-australian-pro-bono-manual-works-launched/ Last week High Court judge, the Hon Justice Virginia Bell AC, launched the new editions of the Australian Pro Bono Centre's two flagship publications: The Australian Pro Bono Manual A practice guide and resource kit for law firms (3rd ed)and Pro bono partnerships and models A practical guide to What Works (2nd ed). 2016-11-02 10:36:10 N Y N https://ministers.dpmc.gov.au/scullion/2016/alrc-inquiry-incarceration-rate-indigenous-australians Today a joint announcement by Minister for Indigenous Affairs and Attorney General states that the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) will be asked to examine the factors leading to the over representation of Indigenous Australians in our prison system, and consider what reforms to the law could ameliorate this national tragedy. 2016-10-27 15:05:25 N Y N https://news.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/link/id/zzzz57f2ee7ad6e11947Pzzzz51539329b0415886/page.html#zzzz57ed9c9689f26065 Legal Aid NSW has published eight new brochures for Aboriginal people on a variety of legal topics. 2016-10-27 09:41:17 N Y N https://www.wesleymission.org.au/assets/Document/Our-words/Media-releases/Justice-Medal-for-founder-of-Wesley-Missions-free-legal-service-for-problem-gamblers.pdf Wesley Mission's Richard Brading has been awarded the Justice Medal from the Law and Justice Foundation for his outstanding work in providing legal services to problem gamblers and for driving reform in response to the impact of problem gambling on disadvantaged people 2016-10-19 15:26:12 N Y N http://lawsociety.com.au/ForSolictors/AdvancementofWomen/Charter/index.htm The Charter is designed to promote and support strategies to retain women in the profession over the course of their careers and encourage and promote their career progression into senior executive and management positions. The signatories to this Charter agree to implement and commit to five strategies outlined within the Charter within two years of signing the Charter, with the exception of equal pay for graduates, which will be implemented within 12 months. 2016-10-19 15:16:03 N Y N http://www.crcnsw.org.au/images/project/miranda/scf-position-statement.pdf In 2013, a coalition of Australian non-profit organisations, led by the Sydney Community Foundation (SCF), came together to address some of the key systemic failures and major human rights issues affecting women in NSW prisons. 2016-10-12 12:26:31 N Y N http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/Documents/BB/Report-2016-Why-is-the-NSW-prison-population-still-growing-bb113.pdf The growth in the number of persons entering remand is likely due to four factors: (a) an increase in the number of people proceeded against by police for offences where bail refusal is likely (b) an increase in the number of persons proceeded against by police for breach of bail (c) an increase in the time spent in custody on remand and (d) (possibly) an increase in the likelihood of bail refusal. The cause of the increase in time spent on remand is not known for certain at this stage but it may be related to a growth in the backlog of trial cases in the NSW District Criminal Court. 2016-10-12 10:43:02 N Y N http://www.tenants.org.au/ The redesign uses the latest ideas in user experience to make a more accessible and useful resource for tenants and their advocates. But since it's a new site, we're still fixing bugs and adding content. If you notice problems, or would like to spend a moment to let us know what you think, please email your feedback to contact@tenantsunion.org.au. 2016-10-12 10:32:22 N Y N http://ecomms.lawsociety.com.au/rv/ff002b1084348d08ae487efa4e4d9288da31eef7/p=6401822 An estimated 15-17 per cent of all Indigenous prisoners are incarcerated for unauthorised driving and the link between -never licensed- offences and no identity documents is compelling. The link between access to identity documents and the prevalence of driving offences, interactions with the criminal justice system and subsequent incarceration of Indigenous people has been noted in various government inquiries. A birth certificate and driver's licence unlock opportunities to access education, paid and voluntary work, connectivity with family and friends and access to services and medical treatment. 2016-10-06 14:58:16 N Y N https://theconversation.com/australia-is-locking-up-too-many-women-but-the-uk-offers-a-blueprint-for-a-radical-new-approach-65043 Baroness Corston led a world-first review of women with vulnerabilities in the criminal justice system in the United Kingdom. The 2007 Corston Report set out a blueprint for a radically different approach to a growing social and economic problem. 2016-09-28 10:59:37 N Y N http://wesnet.org.au/phones/ Recently Telstra has committed to significantly expanding our partnership program called Safe Connections, with the announcement that they will be donating a total of 20,000 smartphones to WESNET to distribute to women who are experiencing domestic or family violence. 2016-09-28 10:18:09 N Y N http://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/consultations/making-revenge-porn-a-crime/?date=2016-09-15&id=1700 On 5 September 2016 the Attorney General announced that the NSW Government is proposing to specifically criminalise the distribution of intimate images without consent ('revenge porn'). The Department of Justice has developed a discussion paper which identifies issues and poses questions to assist in developing a new offence specifically directed at this behaviour. 2016-09-21 18:11:13 N Y N http://www.ncat.nsw.gov.au/Pages/about_us/videos.aspx These videos show the diversity of matters heard at NCAT. The information in the videos is intended as a guide to law and procedure only. They cover Tenancy, Guardianship, Home Building and Review of Administrative Decisions. 2016-09-21 08:19:41 N Y N http://www.ncat.nsw.gov.au/Pages/about_us/videos.aspx These videos show the diversity of matters heard at NCAT. The information in the videos is intended as a guide to law and procedure only. They cover Tenancy, Guardianship, Home Building and Review of Administrative Decisions. 2016-09-21 08:19:27 N Y N http://www.lawsociety.com.au/ForSolictors/advocacy/policyandrepresentation/CTPproposals/index.htm 2016-09-21 08:13:06 N Y N https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu-MjSh3G5g You can go to lock up over and over, or you can take a different path. The young people from Bourke NSW scripted, filmed and produced this film, as part of the ALS Talking FactSheet Project - films made by and for the mob.Need legal advice? Contact ALS 1800 765 767 2016-09-14 14:51:17 N Y N https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0007/380545/3879_HNSW_Homelessness-DiscPaper_WEB.pdf Foundations for Change Homelessness in NSW aims to engage a wide range of organisations and individuals to strengthen collective action and develop a new strategy for reducing homelessness. This strategy aims to broaden the conversation about what homelessness means and how we can prevent it. 2016-09-08 11:13:02 N Y N https://sna.etapestry.com/prod/viewEmailAsPage.do?personaRef=1059.0.87918606&databaseId=PublicInterestAdvocacyCentreL&memberId=1252762431&jobRef=1059.0.141860919&mailingId=32309457&erRef=1059.0.87918605&key=37aa5dfc44ddddd19d4311e2c7a240 The Public Interest Advocacy Centre has welcomed the NSW Government's discussion paper on homelessness, 'Foundations for Change,' as a once in a decade opportunity to reduce homelessness in NSW. 2016-09-08 11:10:14 N Y N http://us3.campaign-archive1.com/?u=29c79d2825cb376b3f0b06385&id=4ea5478d37&e=77f3f600b0 Last week the Tenants' Union turned 40! Four decades of working for tenants rights and housing justice is no mean feat. Together with thousands of tenants and supporters, the TU has achieved real gains in law reform, advised hundreds of thousands of tenants, established a network of advice services, positively influenced government policy, and actively contributed to public debate. It hasn't always been an easy journey, but we've maintained our commitment and long-term vision of a secure, liveable and affordable renting system. To celebrate our 40th, we have just released two new videos. 2016-08-31 12:53:16 N Y N http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/About_us/Online_services/Complaints_Register.page The NSW Fair Trading Complaints Register lists businesses that are the subject of 10 or more complaints to NSW Fair Trading in a calendar month. The Complaints Register is updated monthly in the second half of each month with complaints data from the previous calendar month. The collection of data for the purposes of the Complaints Register commenced on 1 July 2016, and the first Register was published on 25th August 2016. 2016-08-31 12:45:27 N Y N http://www.accc.gov.au/about-us/information-for/consumers-with-disability The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) have released a suite of four educational resources for consumers with disability and the businesses supplying them. These resources include an Easy English guide that explains consumer rights clearly, including numerous pictures (this guide is suitable for consumers with an intellectual disability); a consumer guide for consumers with disability, support networks and carers (this is a more detailed guide and uses examples that are relevant to consumers with disability), and a two page fact sheet that gives a brief overview of consumer rights for consumers with disability. 2016-08-31 12:42:12 N Y N http://dfvbenchbook.aija.org.au/contents 2016-08-18 15:13:02 N Y N http://piac.asn.au/news/2016/08/legislation-continues-short-change-victims-domestic-violence In a submission to the statutory review of the Victims Rights and Support Act 2013 (NSW) PIAC has highlighted a range of issues that collectively contribute to women escaping domestic violence receiving inadequate compensation for the crimes committed against them. 2016-08-17 12:20:58 N Y N http://www.homelessnessnsw.org.au/news/370-homelessness-counts-national-homelessness-week-1-7-august-2016 The 2016 National Homelessness Week (1-7th August) will be officially launched in Sydney to raise awareness of people experiencing homelessness and the issues they face. The theme for this year's National Homelessness Week, #HomelessnessCounts, was chosen to not only encourage us all to recognise that those experiencing homelessness are a valuable part of our society but also to promote the upcoming Census and the importance of ensuring that those experiencing homelessness are adequately represented in Census data. 2016-08-02 10:48:48 N Y N http://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=f64cd1da1ba6a894b8d5ee6df&id=1f18bd3ee4&e=b1ffd8ea9b This must be a wake-up call to everyone in Australia. Something has to be done about the way we lock up people in this country, especially our kids. With those words, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Gooda, captured the shock, despair and frustration experienced by many Australians who watched the Four Corners report on the Northern Territory's youth detention centre, Don Dale. 2016-08-02 10:43:28 N Y N http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/Pages/bocsar_media_releases/2016/MR_NSW_Custody_Statistics_Jun2016.aspx The NSW adult prison population grew by 6.5 per cent between July 2015 and June 2016, reaching 12,550 in June this year. This brings the total increase in the NSW adult prison population over the last two years to 21 per cent. The increase is attributable to a growth in prisoners on remand (i.e. unconvicted prisoners awaiting trial or sentence). Between July 2015 and June 2016 the number of adult prisoners on remand grew by 14.8 per cent (from 3,633 to 4,170). Over the same period, the number of sentenced prisoners rose by 2.8 per cent (from 8,148 to 8,380). 2016-08-02 10:29:18 N Y N https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/life-events-and-you/indigenous The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has launched three new videos to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in remote and regional areas with information on motor vehicle finance, renting appliances, and using book up (running a tab or a store account). 2016-08-02 10:02:53 N Y N http://inbrief.nswbar.asn.au/articles/7be4753ee4e26b4fd93440f819179035 A seminar will be held in the Common Room at 5.15pm on Thursday 4 August 2016. "Understanding transgenerational trauma in Aboriginal communities" will be presented by Professor Mick Dodson AM, Dr Robyn Shields and Magistrate Duncombe and chaired by the Honourable Justice Stephen Rothman AM, Supreme Court of NSW. Please note registration is required for this event. To register please email your full name and organisation to tmcdonald@nswbar.asn.au. Places are limited. 2016-07-19 14:57:41 N Y N http://www.alsnswact.org.au/news_items/225 In order to draw attention to early intervention, prevention and family restoration services as a means of decreasing high rates of Aboriginal child removal in NSW, the ALS children's care and protection legal practice is holding a symposium on 'Aboriginal children, culture and the law' on 5 August 2016 to which practitioners and the general public are invited to. 2016-07-19 14:53:53 N Y N http://www.alsnswact.org.au/news_items/228 Law firm King & Wood Mallesons have donated funds to the ALS Talking Fact Sheet Project enabling the production of further legal education films by Aboriginal children and young people around NSW and ACT. The Talking Fact Sheet project asks young people to transform our written legal information Fact Sheets into 'Talking Fact Sheets', very short films produced by and for the mob, in the style of edutainment/infomercials, and in a language, style and genre that best reflects the aspirations and cultural outlook of local environments. 2016-07-19 14:51:01 N Y N http://consumeraction.org.au/indigenous-insurance-exploitation-must-stopped-following-court-decision-consumer-groups/ The court decision effectively over-rules a decision by the previous Minister for Human Services Marise Payne to prohibit funeral insurance providers from using Centrepay to secure payments. It gives the green light for ACBF to profit from Centrelink payments in front of payments for rent, food and other essentials. 2016-07-13 14:49:23 N Y N https://healthjustice.org.au/ Welcome to the website of the national centre for health justice partnership. As we build this new national charity, we want your input on what we do and why it matters. Much of the text on these pages reflects initial ideas that we are testing with people working or interested in health justice partnerships. Please take the time to sign up to our mailing list and to send us your feedback about what's already on these pages; and what else you'd like to see here. 2016-07-13 13:47:10 N Y N https://www.esafety.gov.au/women The eSafety Women resources aim to help women manage technology risks and abuse by giving women the tools they need to be confident when online. 2016-06-27 10:04:04 N Y N https://www.ncoss.org.au/news-and-events/media-releases/nsw-budget-broad-investment-in-people-welcome-but-we-need-to-start The NSW Budget invests in a range of initiatives that will make a real difference to the lives of people experiencing poverty and disadvantage but continued lack of investment in early intervention and early learning are missed opportunities according to the NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS). 2016-06-27 09:55:52 N Y N https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/DBAssets/InquiryReport/Recommendations/6064/Summary%20of%20key%20issues%20and%20recommendations.pdf As there is no formal structure in New South Wales for this to occur, the committee has recommended that a Stolen Generations Advisory Committee be established, whose role will be to advise the Premier and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs on Stolen Generations issues, including on the development and implementation of reparations for those affected by forcible removals. 2016-06-23 14:51:40 N Y N https://www.lawsociety.com.au/about/news/1165346 Lawyers see today's announcement of 7,000 prison beds as a retrograde step highlighting the need for a public debate on law and order. 2016-06-22 10:02:57 N Y N http://www.piac.asn.au/news/2016/06/jonathon-hunyor-appointed-new-piac-ceo We are delighted that Jonathon Hunyor will be the new CEO of PIAC, replacing Edward Santow, who is leaving the organisation on 30 June to become the Australian Human Rights Commissioner. 2016-06-17 16:54:55 N Y N http://www.lawcouncil.asn.au/lawcouncil/images/1635_--_Law_Council_launches_to-do_list_for_incoming_Government.pdf 2016-06-15 13:38:39 N Y N https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/News/National/Households_in_the_dark_-_mapping_electricity_disconnections_in_South_Australia_Victoria_NSW_and_South_East_Queensland/ PIAC supports calls for the NSW Government to review the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) scheme following St Vincent de Paul Society's report 'Households in the dark'. 2016-06-09 13:45:47 N Y N http://www.communitylawaustralia.org.au/media-release-free-legal-help-for-children-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-artists-and-consumers-under-threat/ 6 June 2016 - The National Association of Community Legal Centres today called on the Commonwealth Government to continue and increase funding for national Community Legal Centres. 2016-06-09 13:33:33 N Y N http://housingstressed.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/VoteHome-platform-full.pdf Vote Home 2016 campaign - an alliance made up of Homelessness Australia, National Shelter, the Community Housing Industry Association and the Australian Council of Social Service asks all Australians to sign a petition calling for tax reforms that put ordinary people ahead of the interests of investors. 2016-06-02 11:10:49 N Y N http://www.lawfoundation.net.au/grants The current focus of the grants program is on projects from which lessons will be learned that contribute to identifying effective reforms, initiatives and programs to address legal need. 2016-06-01 09:36:11 N Y N https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ideCTELgPQ -Rake- actor Richard Roxburgh adds his support to a national campaign calling on the Federal Government to adequately fund legal aid in Australia. Further informational available at: www.legalaidmatters.org.au 2016-05-26 15:48:35 N Y N http://www.legalaidmatters.org.au/ As part of Law Week events, the Law Society of NSW and the NSW Bar Association in partnership with community-based legal service providers, will launch on Thursday 19 May Legal Aid Matters, a campaign aimed at ensuring that the next Federal Government responds decisively to Australia's legal aid funding crisis. 2016-05-17 10:33:02 N Y N http://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=f64cd1da1ba6a894b8d5ee6df&id=a412791ea9&e=b1ffd8ea9b 2016-05-09 15:46:21 N Y N http://probonocentre.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/APBC_What-is-best-practice-SHORT-FINAL.pdf The guide is supported by examples of best practice from individual firms and also quantitative data so as to provide benchmarks and to illustrate the Australian context.Copies of the single page abbreviated version and the six page full version of the guide can be downloaded from the Centre's website 2016-05-09 15:44:43 N Y N http://www.naclc.org.au/cb_pages/files/Media%20Releases/2016/CLA%20Budget%20Night%20MR%20Final.pdf 2016-05-04 13:34:30 N Y N https://www.ag.gov.au/LegalSystem/Pages/response-to-report-into-access-to-justice-arrangements.aspx 2016-05-03 12:31:03 N Y N https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/disability-rights/publications/willing-work-national-inquiry-employment-discrimination?mc_cid=f60eeba4ed&mc_eid=b1ffd8ea9b Key recommendations from the Willing to Work report include: Establishing a Minister for Longevity; Developing national action plans to address employment discrimination and lift the labour force participation of older people and people with disability; Expanding the role of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency to become the Workplace Gender Equality and Diversity Agency; Introducing national education campaigns to dispel myths and stereotypes about older people and people with disability; Adopting targets for employment and retention of older people and people with disability in the public service. 2016-05-03 11:31:15 N Y N http://probonocentre.org.au/apbn/apr-2016/law-council-australia-run-campaign-critical-importance-legal-assistance-services-access-justice/ The Law Council of Australia will run a campaign into the forthcoming federal election to try and educate and encourage individual MPs and government at a federal level of the need for adequate and ongoing funding for legal assistance services. A vitally important part of this campaign will be raising community awareness of the centrality of legal assistance funding, as well as approaching MPs as a group and on an individual basis to open a dialogue and discuss these issues further. The campaign will be based on the recently successful UK -Are You For Justice?- campaign which led to the Justice Secretary suspending legal aid fee cuts and retreating from contract tendering for duty solicitors. This campaign was supported by such high profile persons as Stephen Fry and concentrated on telling stories of ordinary people who would never have expected to have needed a lawyer but could not have done without one in the circumstances of their case. 2016-04-29 11:42:12 N Y N https://www.lawsociety.com.au/ForSolictors/AdvancementofWomen/Committee/index.htm The objectives of the Committee are to promote diversity, equality and inclusion in the legal profession, in particular by progressing initiatives to ensure the equality of opportunity for all members of the profession, regardless of sex, race, disability or sexuality. The Committee intends to have representatives from various segments of the profession, such as: women lawyers, LGBT lawyers, lawyers of Asian heritage, lawyers with disabilities and Indigenous lawyers. 2016-04-29 10:56:26 N Y N http://www.justiceconnect.org.au/funding-boost-will-%E2%80%98help-helpers%E2%80%99 Today's announcement by the Minister for Family and Community Services Brad Hazzard of $825,000 over three years to Justice Connect Not-for-profit Law is a big step towards building an even stronger community sector in NSW. 2016-04-29 10:48:25 N Y N https://www.facebook.com/TUNSW/videos/vb.318095761548145/1146058052085241/?type=3&theater 2016-04-19 10:31:41 N Y N http://www.nationallegalaid.org/assets/NLA-media/NLA-DV-release-NATIONAL-18-April.pdf National Legal Aid welcomes a COAG Advisory Panel report which highlights the need for increased legal assistance for domestic violence victims. The report coincides with the release of disturbing new figures revealing the extent of domestic violence in legal aid family law cases. 2016-04-19 09:38:12 N Y N https://www.lawsociety.com.au/about/news/1114667 Statement from the Law Society of NSW on the 25th anniversary of the Report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. 2016-04-19 09:35:10 N Y N http://files.tenants.org.au/factsheets/Five-Changes-Social-Housing-Law-2016.pdf 2016-04-07 13:00:56 N Y N https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls0BjhWsw0I&feature=youtu.be 2016-04-07 12:03:32 N Y N http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/factsheets-and-resources/lets-talk Let's talk is a community legal education package about the Australian law and legal system. It can be delivered to people who have recently arrived in Australia in order to give them an overview of the Australian legal system. The Let's talk community legal education package aims to assist lawyers and other people who deliver training to recent arrivals on Australian law. The content has been developed for people who have lived in Australia for less than 5 years. 2016-04-07 11:57:54 N Y N http://www.naclc.org.au/cb_pages/files/Media%20Releases/2016/140316_NACLC-CLA%20Campaign%20Launch%20MR.pdf 2016-03-30 13:22:08 N Y N http://www.nfplaw.org.au/ 2016-03-30 10:09:53 N Y N http://hrlc.org.au/new-nsw-anti-protest-laws-are-excessive-and-unnecessary/ 2016-03-30 10:01:34 N Y N https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/news/centrepay-payments-aboriginal-community-benefit-fund-stop 2016-03-23 10:34:14 N Y N http://www.pm.gov.au/media/2016-03-17/joint-media-release-safe-phones-domestic-violence-victims 2016-03-23 10:31:36 N Y N http://humanrights.gov.au/news/stories/childrens-rights-must-come-first?mc_cid=5ef8d9e6a3&mc_eid=b1ffd8ea9b 2016-03-16 12:17:00 N Y N http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media/general-news/media-release-legal-aids-south-west-sydney-domestic-violence-unit 2016-03-16 12:07:27 N Y N http://www.piac.asn.au/news/2016/02/new-video-%E2%80%98one-word-police%E2%80%99 2016-03-08 10:39:30 N Y N https://www.justiceconnect.org.au/tessa-boyd-caine-appointed-ceo-new-national-centre-for-health-justice-partnerships 2016-03-03 14:28:34 N Y N https://www.nhr.org.au The purpose of the industry funded National Hardship Register is to protect those consumers who are experiencing long-term and severe financial hardship from unnecessary debt collection activity. 2016-03-02 14:37:55 N Y N https://icl.gov.au/ 2016-03-02 14:34:48 N Y N http://www.alrc.gov.au/sites/default/files/pdfs/attorney-general_-_media_release_-_alrc_inquiry_elder_abuse.pdf The Attorney-General, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC announced a new Inquiry for the ALRC on 'Protecting the Rights of Older Australians from Abuse' on 24 February 2016. The reporting date is May 2017. 2016-02-24 14:37:12 N Y N http://goodshepherdmicrofinance.org.au/sites/default/files/Women%20and%20Payday%20FINAL.pdf Good Shepherd Microfinance commissioned Digital Finance Analytics (DFA) to examine how women access and use payday loans. The report found women are using payday lending more. In 2005 about 84,000 women had used payday lending, but this had grown to 177,000 in 2015, a 110% rise compared to growth in the total industry in Australia of 80% over the same period. 2016-02-24 10:52:24 N Y N http://probonocentre.org.au/ The Australian Pro Bono Centre's old website served the Centre and the community well for twelve years. We are proud to announce the launch of our new resource-rich and mobile-friendly website. 2016-02-24 10:27:08 N Y N http://www.smh.com.au/comment/head-20160215-gmurmz.html 2016-02-18 12:13:30 N Y N https://www.humanrights.gov.au/news/stories/commission-welcomes-new-sex-discrimination-commissioner 2016-02-17 11:22:47 N Y N https://womenlawyersnsw.org.au/press/women-lawyers-call-for-leadership-on-diversity-in-2016/ 2016-02-17 11:24:15 N Y N http://www.supremecourt.justice.nsw.gov.au/Documents/Speeches/2016%20Speeches/Bathurst_20160204_speech.pdf 2016-02-08 13:44:16 N Y N http://www.lawsociety.com.au/cs/groups/public/documents/internetcontent/1090789.pdf 2016-02-08 13:41:40 N Y N http://www.lawcouncil.asn.au/lawcouncil/images/1601_--_Law_Council_opens_legal_year_announcing_legal_aid_campaign.pdf 2016-02-08 13:37:44 N Y N http://www.alsnswact.org.au/news_items/199 2016-02-08 13:48:01 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/LawandJusticeFoundationGrants.php The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW's Grants Program supports community projects that improve access to justice, particularly for socially and economically disadvantaged people. The next round of applications for general grants to up to $50,000 will close on 31 March 2016. Click on the heading for more information. 2016-01-20 13:20:12 N Y N https://www.lawsociety.com.au/about/news/1086589 NSW Law Society President, Gary Ulman, calls for long term funding solutions to address NSW Court issues. Click on heading to read the full media statement. 2016-01-20 13:19:25 N Y N http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-02/als-cns-indigenous-custody-hotline-saved/6993718 NSW Legal Assistance Forum members at their December meeting congratulated the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT for securing funding for their state-wide Custody Notification Scheme from the Commonwealth Government until June 2019. 2015-12-09 14:42:54 N Y N http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media/general-news/media-release-legal-help-for-victims-of-bad-weather Residents affected by the storms and heavy rains in NSW can get legal help with questions about their insurance cover and claims. 2015-04-22 00:00:00 22 April 2015 00:00 Y Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/ProductivityCommAccesstoJustice.php The Productivity Commission released its report into Access to Justice Arrangements on 3 December 2014. 2015-01-22 10:38:44 22 January 2015 00:00 Y Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/LawyeravailabilityinRRRNSW.php Finding a solicitor in remote NSW and in regional areas experiencing population decline has been getting harder over the last 10 years, but not for the reasons many believe. 2015-01-22 10:05:22 22 January 2015 00:00 Y Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/LegalAidApp.php 2014-08-21 00:00:00 21 August 2014 00:00 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/NSWCommitteeonLawandSafety.php The NSW Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety releases its report on whether the laws relating to unauthorised driving offences should be reformed. 2014-01-30 10:40:14 30 January 2014 00:00 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/KingsfordLegalCentreKLChasdevelopedaservicemanualfortheuseoftheirownstaffstudentsandvolunteerstobuil.php Kingsford Legal Centre has developed a service manual for the use of their own staff, students and volunteers to build strong, culturally appropriate relationships with Aboriginal clients and communities. The manual aims to help develop the knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively and respectfully with local Aboriginal clients and communities. 2013-11-29 16:26:30 29 November 2013 00:00 27 January 2014 00:00 Y N Y http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/LIACvideoresources.php The Legal Information Access Centre has launched two new video resources on the Australian legal system aimed at non-lawyers. 2013-11-28 00:00:00 28 November 2013 00:00 27 January 2014 00:00 Y N Y http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/LegalAidCALDresources.php Legal Aid has launched a new guide to assist organisations and their staff develop a better understanding of new and emerging communities and consequently, improve access to services and service quality for clients from these communities. 2013-11-28 00:00:00 28 November 2013 00:00 27 January 2014 00:00 Y N Y The Employment Lawyers Forum will take place at 9 am on Wednesday 21 August 2013 at Lander & Rogers Lawyers, Level 19, Angel Place, Sydney. Topics covered will include: *An overview of rights and responsibilities under the Fair Work Act 2009. *The role of the Fair Work Ombudsman.*Enforcement and strategic compliance activities of the Fair Work Ombudsman. *Accessorial liability under the Fair Work Act 2009. Attendees are able to claim 1 CPD point. 2013-08-19 09:04:51 19 August 2013 00:00 23 August 2013 00:00 Y N Y A study by Legal Aid NSW which analysed the 50 highest users of legal aid services, found that 80% of these high users were children and young people 19 years and under, and that 82% had their first contact with Legal Aid NSW by the time they were 14. The findings support the development of a new, intensive legal aid service that provides targeted, specialist legal services to a small group of complex needs clients at the same time as brokering a package of police, mental health, education, housing and human services to support these clients, who are amongst the most disadvantaged people in the community. 2013-08-08 17:24:16 08 August 2013 00:00 17 December 2013 00:00 Y N Y The latest Updating Justice Paper from the Law and Justice Foundation summarises findings from the Legal Australia-Wide (LAW) Survey on the legal problems experienced by younger people aged 15–24 years in Australia. Similar to previous studies, the findings show a higher vulnerability to legal problems for younger people compared to the oldest age group. Also in keeping with past research, different ages or life stages were associated with different types of legal problems. Accidents, crime, personal injury and rights problems peaked either at 15–17 or 18-24 years. In addition, younger people were less likely to seek advice from professionals for their legal problems. The policy implications of these findings are discussed. 2013-08-08 17:02:21 08 August 2013 00:00 31 December 2013 00:00 Y N Y Knowmore was recently established to provide free legal help to navigate the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Knowmore is a national legal service, independent of the Royal Commission, targeting people who are considering telling their story or providing information to the Royal Commission. Knowmore operates a free advice line from Monday to Friday from 9 am - 5 pm. Phone 1800 605 762 For more information visit: www.knowmore.org.au 2013-08-01 12:08:17 01 August 2013 00:00 27 November 2013 00:00 Y N Y The Productivity Commission is undertaking an inquiry into Australia's system of civil dispute resolution, with a focus on constraining costs and promoting access to justice and equality before the law. In particular, the Commission will have regard to: -real costs of legal representation and trends over time; - level of demand for legal services; - factors that contribute to the cost of legal representation in Australia; -whether the costs charged for accessing justice services and for legal representation are generally proportionate to the issues in dispute; -the impact of the costs of accessing justice services, and securing legal representation, on the effectiveness of these services; -economic and social impact of the costs of accessing justice services, and securing legal representation; -impact of the structures and processes of legal institutions on the costs of accessing and utilising these institutions, including analysis of discovery and case management processes; -alternative mechanisms to improve equity and access to justice and achieve lower cost civil dispute resolution, in both metropolitan areas and regional and remote communities, and the costs and benefits of these reforms in Australian jurisdictions and overseas which have been effective at lowering the costs of accessing justice services, securing legal representation and promoting equality in the justice system; and - data collection across the justice system that would enable better measurement and evaluation of cost drivers and the effectiveness of measures to contain these. 2013-08-01 10:54:13 01 August 2013 00:00 Y Y Y The Australian Institute of Criminology has released a report that assesses whether the length of a bond or suspended sentence makes any difference to the time to first new offence. The results suggest that it does and that offenders given long bonds or suspended sentences take longer to reoffend than offenders given short bonds or suspended sentences. The report is available at: www.aic.gov.au 2013-08-01 10:45:48 01 August 2013 00:00 31 December 2013 00:00 Y N Y www.pilchnsw.org.au The Walk for Justice will take place on Tuesday 14 May 2013. The walk starts at 7.30 am in Hyde Park and finishes in the Domain with a picnic breafast. It is an annual opportunity for the legal community to join together to promote access to justice. The walk celebrates the achievements of the legal profession in their work to meet the legal needs of marginalised people and raises money to support the work of PILCH. 2013-05-06 10:27:39 06 May 2013 00:00 19 May 2013 00:00 Y N Y Legal Aid NSW commenced an outreach advice service at the Social Security Appeals Tribunal (SSAT) in Sydney on 7 May. A legal aid lawyer will attend the SSAT for half a day each week to advise clients about social security matters being reviewed by the tribunal. In some cases, our lawyers will provide ongoing assistance under our minor assistance guidelines. 2013-05-13 09:25:39 13 May 2013 00:00 19 August 2013 00:00 Y N Y The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW's annual Justice Awards recognise the contributions that individuals and organisations have made to improving access to justice in NSW, particularly for socially and economically disadvantaged people. The Foundation is seeking nominations from the public in four Award categories: • Justice Medal • Aboriginal Justice Award • Pro Bono Partnership Award • Law and Justice Volunteer Award The 2013 Justice Awards will be presented at a dinner on Monday 21 October 2013 at Parliament House, Sydney. The Law and Justice Address will be presented by Chief Justice Robert French AC. 2013-05-13 09:18:26 13 May 2013 00:00 31 July 2013 00:00 Y N Y http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/LAWSurveyFindingsHomeiswheretheheartoflegalneedis.php The Law Foundation has released an updating justice paper that sets out the preliminary findings from the Legal Australia-Wide (LAW) Survey about legal need and homelessness. 2013-05-06 10:50:59 06 May 2013 00:00 23 September 2013 00:00 Y N Y http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/LawandDisorders-FindingsfromtheLAWSurvey.php New findings from the LAW Survey confirm that illness/disability is strongly associated with legal problems, with problems most frequent among those with a mental illness/disability (particularly if combined with a physical illness/disability). Findings also indicate that legal problems become more common as the severity of illness/disability increases. This occurs for mental, physical and combined mental and physical illness/disability. 2013-04-24 12:47:58 24 April 2013 00:00 30 September 2013 00:00 Y N Y http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/CUttOffIII-PIACreleasesresearchintosocialimpactofutilitydisconnection.php The social impact of disconnection from utilities is highlighted in PIAC's latest research report, Cut Off III. Cut Off III is PIAC's third report into the social impact of electricity, gas and water disconnections. Previous reports were issued in 2005 and 2009. 2013-04-22 09:38:03 22 April 2013 00:00 24 September 2013 00:00 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/Integratinglegalassistancewithhealthcare-ReportoftheAdvocacyHealthAllianceSymposiumreleased.php 2013-04-18 00:00:00 18 April 2013 00:00 30 September 2013 00:00 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/WhatdopeoplefoabouttheirlegalproblemsFindingsfromtheLAWSurvey.php The Law and Justice Foundation has recently released another paper in its Updating Justice Series. This paper summarises findings from the Legal Australia-Wide Survey (LAW Survey) about use of advisers for legal problems in New South Wales (NSW). 2013-04-17 09:44:24 17 April 2013 00:00 23 September 2013 00:00 N Y N A new publication from Child Family Community Australia examines whether insights from the field of community capacity building can improve child welfare practice and policy in Australia. The paper outlines the concept of community capacity and provides examples of ways in which service providers can apply community capacity building approaches into work with children and families. See: http://www.aifs.gov.au/cfca/pubs/papers/a144213/index.html 2013-04-15 11:36:51 15 April 2013 00:00 16 September 2013 00:00 Y N Y The Australian Human Rights Commission has launched a new website that is mobile and tablet fliendly. The site has a lot of new features and enables more interaction - there are places to comment such as on the news stories and more video content. See http://www.humanrights.gov.au/ 2013-04-15 11:26:31 15 April 2013 00:00 Y Y Y http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/LawandJusticeFoundationNSWGrantsProgram.php The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW Grants Program supports community projects that improve access to justice. The next round of applications for general grants to up to $50,000 are now open and will close on 21 March 2014. 2013-01-23 10:37:00 29 November 2013 00:00 19 March 2014 00:00 Y Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/Boardinghouselegislationpassedthroughpariliament.php The NSW State Government's Boarding Houses Bill has passed through both Houses of the Parliament. The Act has not commenced operation but it is understood that the Government intends for it to commence on 1 January 2013. 2012-10-29 10:03:55 29 October 2012 00:00 28 February 2013 00:00 Y N Y http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/Boardinghouselegislationpassedthroughpariliament.php The NSW State Government's Boarding Houses Bill has passed through both Houses of the Parliament. The Act has not commenced operation yet. But it is understood that the Government intends for it to commence 1 January 2013. For more information about the Act visit: http://lists.tenants.org.au/res/Boarding_Houses_Act_2.pdf Under the Act, residents of registrable boarding houses will have,for the first time, an enforceable entitlement to written agreements and written receipts. They'll also have, for the first time, agreements that must comply with certain basic occupancy principles. These include entitlements to premises that are in a reasonable state of repair, to know the house rules before moving in, to quiet enjoyment, to know why and how the occupancy may be ended, including how much notice is to be given, and to be given reasonable notice of termination. They also include safeguards against penalty terms and unfair utility charges, and a limit on bonds to two weeks' rent. Residents will also have, for the first time, straight-forward access to dispute resolution in the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal. The Act also establishes a Boarding Houses Register and directs councils to inspect premises for compliance with building and fire safety requirements. 2012-10-29 09:56:54 29 October 2012 00:00 29 October 2012 00:00 Y N Y http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/SurveyonlegalneedinNSWlaunched.php A landmark survey by the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW was launched today by the NSW Attorney General, the Honourable Greg Smith. The Legal Australia-Wide Survey (LAW Survey) provides the first comprehensive quantitative assessment across Australia of an extensive range of legal needs on a representative sample of the population. It examines the nature of legal problems, the pathways to their resolution, and the demographic groups that struggle with the weight of their legal problems. 2012-10-25 16:11:39 25 October 2012 00:00 31 January 2013 00:00 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/NationalDirectory.php The National Pro Bono Resource Centre has created the National Law Firm Directory for Pro Bono Referrals. The Directory has been created for those seeking to make a pro bono referral to an Australian law firm. 2012-08-24 16:38:04 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/Anti-PovertyWeek.php Poverty and hardship affect more than a million Australians, with a billion people worldwide also affected. Anti-Poverty Week aims to strengthen public understanding of poverty and hardship and to encourage research, discussion and action to address these problems. It will take place between the 14 and 20 October 2012. 2012-08-22 12:35:53 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/NationalBulkDebtProject.php The National Bulk Debt Project is helping vulnerable Australians on very low (or no) incomes to ensure they can use their income for food, shelter and household bills by negotiating bulk waivers.For more information see the National Bulk Debt Website www.bulkdebt.org 2012-07-23 16:53:45 23 July 2012 00:00 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/PrisonersLegalInfoPortal.php The Legal Info Portal is an intranet site for NSW prisoners about the law, legal systems and legal problems. The Portal was installed on the offender computer network and rolled out across correctional centres in NSW. It is now possible to access the content of the Legal Info Portal from the Corrective Services website. 2012-07-05 17:24:38 30 November 2012 00:00 Y N Y http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/Boardinghousereform-draftbillreleased.php The NSW Government recently released a draft bill to reform the regulation of boarding houses. Accompanying the draft bill is a position paper which sets out the NSW Government's concerns about the current regulatory framework and how thedraft bill seeks to address these concerns. Comments and submissions on the draft bill are due by Friday 10 August 2012 , 2012-07-05 17:04:39 30 November 2012 00:00 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/NewEmploymentLawResourcesonLawAssistWebsite.php 2012-07-02 00:00:00 02 July 2012 00:00 30 November 2012 00:00 Y N Y http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/HumanTraffickinginAustralia.php The Australian Institute of Crimonology released a research paper and monitoring report about human trafficking. The reports are available at www.aic.gov.au. 2012-07-02 10:50:38 02 July 2012 00:00 30 November 2012 00:00 Y N Y http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/FamilyViolenceSpecialistCourts.php The issue of family violence specialist courts is considered in this e-brief produced by the NSW Parliamentary Research Service. 2012-07-02 10:32:32 02 July 2012 00:00 30 November 2012 00:00 N Y N Legal Aid NSW is holding its annual Civil Law Conference on 28 and 29 June 2012. 2012-06-18 09:11:28 18 June 2012 00:00 01 July 2012 00:00 Y N Y http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/lrc/ll_lrc.nsf/pages/LRC_r133toc The NSW Attorney General has tabled the NSW Law Reform Commission's report on the NSW Bail Act. The Commission's recommendations include: *Asking courts, when considering bail applications, to take account of an individual's health and their ability to prepare for their trial. * Asking courts to take into account an individual's mental health illness and whether they are from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background. * Allowing people under the age of 18 to make repeat applications for bail. The NSW Government says it will examine the Commission's report and respond to its recommendations by the end of this year. 2012-06-18 09:02:26 18 June 2012 00:00 31 August 2012 00:00 Y N Y http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/ACMAcommittstoFairCallsforAll.php The communications regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), has committed to putting in place new arrangements so that from 1 January 2015 calls to 1800/13 numbers from mobile phones will be free or the cost of a local call. 2012-04-26 09:09:30 26 April 2012 00:00 30 June 2012 00:00 N Y N Legal Aid NSW is running a series of Fines Days across NSW to help people who have accumulated debts to the SDRO. Legal Aid NSW Lawyers will be providing advice and assistance to deal with fines and other debt problems on the spot and for free. 2012-04-12 09:27:50 12 April 2012 00:00 31 May 2012 00:00 Y Y N http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/lrc/ll_lrc.nsf/pages/LRC_r132toc The NSW Law Reform Commission Report 132 Penalty Notices reviews and makes recommendations in relation to the penalty notice system in NSW. Of particular note are the chapters and recommendations about young people (Ch12); people with mental health and cognitive impairments (Ch13); and people in custody (Ch17). 2012-04-02 11:42:17 30 June 2012 00:00 Y Y N http://www.clcnsw.org.au/conference2012 The CLC NSW State Conference is on 9 and 10 May 2012 in Sydney. Keynote speakers and presenters will include: • The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG • Ronald Merkel QC • Rodney Croome AM • Elizabeth Broderick • The Hon. Greg Smith SC MP, NSW AG • Annie Parkinson • Tammy Solonec • Helen McGowan 2012-03-29 14:04:37 31 May 2012 00:00 N Y N Australia's Human Rigths Framework - Education Grants Program provides small grants from $5,000 - $40,000 per year to community organisations to deliver practical grassroots human rights education projects for vulnerable groups across the community. The Education Grants Applicant Program Guidelines and Application forms are available at: www.ag.gov.au/hrgrants. Information about the Australia's Human Rights Framework is available at: www.ag.gov.au/humanrightsframework. Applications are due by Wednesday 9 May 2012. 2012-03-29 12:38:46 10 May 2012 00:00 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/Newresearchandadvocacytoolaboutsocialneed.php The National Pro Bono Resource Centre in collaboration with ACOSS has developed a directory of reports and submissions relating to social needs. It is available at www.socialneeds.net.au 2012-03-29 09:37:20 31 May 2012 00:00 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/NewwebsiteforCourtsandTribunalServices.php The new website aims to help court users resolve enquires more efficiently, without the need to attend a registry. It provides comprehensive, up-to-date and user-friendly information about courts and tribunals, the court process and alternative dispute resolution options. It also provides the public with information on how to obtain free legal advice and links to other support service websites. 2012-02-27 12:51:01 27 February 2012 00:00 31 May 2012 00:00 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/VLAFCALFForumCulturalCompetency.php The Victorian Legal Assistance Forum hosted a forum to examine the issue of cultural compentency in relation to service delivery for clients from diverse cultural backgrounds who have limited or no understanding of the Australian legal system. 2012-02-23 00:00:00 23 February 2012 00:00 31 May 2012 00:00 Y Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/public_resource_details.php?resource_id=435 2011-12-12 11:00:07 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/public_resource_details.php?resource_id=434 2011-12-12 10:59:38 N Y N http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/About_us/News_and_events/Media_releases/2012_media_releases/20120208_fair_trading_advice_for_flood_affected_tenants_home_owners_and_agents.html Fair Trading NSW has issued a media release advising tenants, landlords and agents about their rights and responsibilities in relation to flood damage. For more information see Fair Trading NSW website: http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Tenants_and_home_owners.html In addition, NLAF has an online list of legal resources for victims of natural disasters. The list includes links to resources about tenancy and renting. 2012-02-13 16:18:48 13 February 2012 00:00 31 March 2012 00:00 Y N Y http://www.nlaf.org.au/public_resource_details.php?resource_id=433 2011-09-07 00:00:00 07 September 2011 00:00 N Y N http://www.alrc.gov.au/publications/family-violence-and-commonwealth-laws-improving-legal-frameworks-alrc-report-117 The Australian Law Reform Commission released the final report of its Inquiry into Family Violence. The ALRC also produced a summary report and a series of fact sheets that provide practical examples of how the ARLC recommendations, if implemented, might affect parts of the community. 2012-02-08 13:48:03 Y Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/online_catalogue_of_resources.php NLAF has developed a catalogue of legal resources targeted at newly arrived migrants and refugees. 2011-11-30 13:48:26 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/work_and_development_orders.php The NLAF Fines and Traffic Law Working Group are working with Legal Aid NSW to raise awareness about the Legal Aid NSW Work and Development Order (WDO) Initiative. 2011-11-30 13:47:59 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/nlaf_plenary_coming_up.php Representatives of NLAF member organisations met on 7 December for the last time in 2011. Watch out for the NLAF e-bulletin highlighting the outcomes from the meeting. 2011-11-30 13:48:57 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/highlights_jun10.php 2010-07-01 00:00:00 01 July 2010 00:00 31 July 2010 00:00 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/highlights_nov09.php 2009-12-01 00:00:00 01 December 2009 00:00 31 December 2009 00:00 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/highlights_aug09.php 2009-09-01 00:00:00 01 September 2009 00:00 31 October 2009 00:00 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/highlights_may09.php 2009-06-01 00:00:00 01 June 2009 00:00 31 July 2009 00:00 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/public_resource_details.php?resource_id=398 2009-03-01 00:00:00 01 March 2009 00:00 30 April 2009 00:00 N Y N A hub for the social justice sector in NSW - the website is a resource to find out about emerging issues and trends and the work of relevant organisations to address these issues. 2011-11-30 13:47:29 N Y N http://www.nlaf.org.au/cb_pages/news/2012JusticeAwards.php Established in 1999, the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW's annual Justice Awards recognise the contributions that individuals and organisations have made to improving access to justice in NSW, particularly for socially and economically disadvantaged people. 2012-06-22 16:26:41 N Y N