Frontline support service YFS claims a multi-billion-dollar investment in the legal services sector has fallen short, leading them to turn away more than 1000 clients.
The Logan-based charity supports the city’s most vulnerable, including those facing homelessness, domestic violence, and financial troubles.
But it claims unprecedented demand for its legal services, which YFS provides for free, has not been met by a sufficient level of government support.
More than one-third of people seeking legal support from YFS were turned away last financial year alone due to “limited resources”, YFS says.
This impacted vulnerable locals are seeking youth justice representation, duty lawyer services, general legal advice, outreach programs, and community legal education.
Crippling demand of this kind has been felt right across Australia, prompting the federal government to announce a $3.9 billion package for frontline legal services earlier this month.
While YFS welcomed the announcement, CEO Christopher John said the government fell short.
“We are concerned that the current funding is not sufficient to meet the needs of our community,” he said.
“Our 3.5 legal practitioners worked with over 1,800 clients last year assisting them in a variety of legal matters, but we were not able to provide support to all of those that sought our help.
“More support is needed to ensure that vulnerable individuals have access to justice.”
YFS operates Logan’s only community legal centre.
Solicitors said the growing demand and insufficient funding had resulted in increased wait times for the clients who do manage to receive help.
The principal solicitor at YFS Legal, Candice Hughes, said the team was dedicated to providing essential legal services.
“But the high demand and limited resources have resulted in unavoidable delays,” she said.
“We call on the National Cabinet to engage with community legal centres to develop a more comprehensive funding strategy.”
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said at a press conference following the announcement the $3.9 billion funding would be spent over five years.
“… in support for frontline legal assistance services to be delivered through a new partnership agreement with the states and territories,” he said.
“Importantly, it will ensure as well that there’s an uplift in pay parity for people working in community legal centres, which has been one of the issues that has been outstanding.
“What we’ve done today is agree that there’s a need to continue that funding and indeed, even beyond the five years.”
YFS urged the state and federal governments to “prioritise additional funding for community legal centres and ensure that future funding arrangements provide the necessary support to meet the community’s legal needs”.
“YFS Legal is prepared to work closely with all levels of government to develop strategies that ensure access to justice for all.”
