COMMUNITY lawyers warn more vulnerable Wyndham residents will end up in jail due to a recent overhaul of Victorian Legal Aid funding.
Changes to eligibility guidelines were introduced after an “unprecedented demand”‘ for Legal Aid services last year was not matched by a state funding boost, causing a $3.1 million budget blowout.
Only people likely to be given a detention order, put under the supervision of the Department of Human Services, or first-time offenders will be eligible for a legal assistance grant.
Wyndham Legal Service’s Shorna Moore said the changes would mean more unrepresented defendants, clogged courts and strained community legal centres. She said poorer defendants would be hit hardest.
“Recent changes will make it more difficult for many people who are already suffering financial hardship to obtain supporting documentation from health and other professionals. A privately funded medical report will generally cost at least $575,” Ms Moore said.
She said Wyndham was already suffering from a lack of access to Legal Aid lawyers as there was no outreach based in Werribee.
“This lack of access is regarded by many community workers and other services as a tremendous disincentive to clients seeking timely advice before hearings,” she said.
“Our research suggests that the majority of youth legal services provided in the western suburbs are provided at the door of the court, usually involving a 10-minute interview with a duty lawyer five minutes before a hearing.”
Victorian Legal Aid director Bevan Warner said the demand increase was driven by the government’s focus on preventing family violence.
He said Legal Aid would prioritise the most vulnerable clients with most serious problems.
