CALLS for the ACT government to provide funding certainty to Canberra Community Law were ignored in the ACT Legislative Assembly today (June 2), according to Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee. 

Ms Lee made a motion in the assembly, calling on the government to provide funding to the free, independent legal service, which runs out of its short-term, covid-related funding on June 30. 

A reduction in funds, the biggest funding hit it’s ever seen, means the organisation, which is the only ACT service that specialises in housing, Centrelink, disability and racial discrimination law, and homelessness law, will face a significant shortfall in resources to maintain current service levels.

The centre had already been struggling with funding reductions over recent years.

In failing to support the motion, Ms Lee said Labor and the Greens refused to take any responsibility to provide certainty of funding to the ACT legal assistance sector.

“I have brought a very straight forward non-political motion to ensure important organisations like Canberra Community Law receive funding certainty,” Ms Lee said.

“The attitude by the Attorney-General, Shane Rattenbury, is a disrespectful response to an organisation that provides free legal advice and service to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

“What my motion seeks comes after months of pleas from the sector to provide certainty that they will be able to continue vital services to our community.

“There is less than one month to go until funding runs out and for the Attorney-General to refuse to provide assurance; to refuse to provide certainty for the future of vital legal services, is heartless and cruel.

“These are services provided by Canberrans, for Canberrans in Canberra and failing to provide certainty of funding for these shows a complete lack of respect for the work these organisations do.”

Overworked, free legal service faces funding shortfall