June 27, 2019
Today’s Post-Budget announcement extending last year’s interim funding boost to Community Law services is the second
step in honouring the Coalition Government Agreement to increase funding to Community Law.
“The final step is yet to come,” says Community Law Centres o Aotearoa CEO, Sue Moroney.
The additional $2.18m was put in place as an interim funding boost last year, while Community Law worked through a
funding review with the Ministry of Justice to identify the proposals that would satisfy the Coalition Government
commitment.
“After 10 years of suppressed funding, Community Law services were on life support – the $2.18m has ensured the survival
of our centres and today’s announcement confirms that. Now we are working on the funding needed to improve access to
Justice and the wellbeing of our communities,” says Sue.
“Our current resources only allow us to get our services to 30% of low-income people with unmet legal need.
“Access to Justice is fundamental to the wellbeing of society and our services are a cost-effective way of reducing
crime and its effects on people,” says Sue.
Of the $13m in total funding now being received from Government, around $10million is currently provided by the Lawyers
and Conveyancers Special Fund.
“We look forward to the full implementation of the Coalition Government Agreement for Community Law being realised in
Budget 2020. It can’t come soon enough for communities that need free legal support.”
Background
Twenty-four Community Law Centres work out of over 140 locations across New Zealand to provide free legal help and
advice to those who are unable to pay for a private lawyer or who do not have access to legal aid. This advice covers
all aspects of New Zealand’s legal system, including family law, employment issues, housing problems, consumer advice
and criminal law. As well as around 170 staff, Community Law’s services are boosted by over 1,200 volunteer lawyers who
run clinics and deliver free advice and assistance.
ends