Member for Werribee, Tim Pallas is urging local community legal centres to apply for a share in $7.1 million of grants under the Andrews Labor Government.

Grants are available from the Community Legal Centre Assistance Fund, the Family Violence Duty Lawyer Fund, and the Community Legal Centre Family Violence Fund over two years to help centres deliver assistance and services to vulnerable and disadvantaged Victorians.

Each of Victoria’s 50 community legal centres are eligible to apply for up to $50,000 per grant fund each year.

Community legal centres have the opportunity to apply for a part of:

• more than $2 million from the Community Legal Centre Assistance Fund, which supports critical programs and free legal services for Victorians who can’t afford a lawyer
• more than $2.4 million from the Family Violence Duty Lawyer Fund, which helps community legal centres provide specialist family violence duty lawyers in the Magistrates’ Court
• more than $2.6 million from the Community Legal Centre Family Violence Fund, which helps agencies provide support to family violence victims and faster access to legal services.

The latest funding is in addition to $5.7 million already invested in community legal centre grants by the Labor Government since 2014.

The grants help to support more than 100,000 Victorians each year on a range of legal matters, including family violence proceedings, family law, disputes and fines.

The Victorian Budget 2017/18 provided almost $25 million in new funding over four years to help community legal centres continue to provide a range of free legal services.

Applications close at midnight on Monday, 28 August. For more information, visit clcgrants.smartygrants.com.au.

Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Martin Pakula

“Community legal centres play a vital role in helping disadvantaged Victorians get legal advice, support and representation in times of hardship.”

“These grants will help ensure community legal centres can continue to deliver crucial assistance to people in need, including family violence victims.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“Community legal centres are on the frontline when it comes to supporting some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of our community, including family violence victims.”

“I urge all local legal centres in Werribee to consider applying for these grants to ensure they can continue to provide these valuable services to our community.”