THE article which appeared in The Queensland Times on Monday, 11 April 2016 (Cuts to hurt legal services) regarding funding of the Community Legal Centre operated by The Advocacy Service Centre shows the very real impact the current Turnbull Liberal Government's cuts have had to these vital services.

It is often the case that these services are used by those whom are most vulnerable in our community.

These legal centres are often accessed by the elderly seeking advice and support, or those who find themselves in the situation of a family breakdown or domestic violence.

The provision of legal assistance provided by centres such as the one at South Street here in Ipswich, is a vital part of dealing with the scourge of domestic violence in our society.

While the Turnbull Government talks about taking action on family and domestic violence, it's record on funding for Community Legal Centres is appalling.

Since 2013 we have seen $24 million cut from Community Legal Centres, $15 Million cut from Legal Aid Commissions and $13 million ripped out of the budget for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services.

While the Government has abandoned some of its earlier cuts, its new National Partnership Agreement locks in future cuts to community legal centres, which are set to lose almost 30 per cent of their funding from 2017-18.

The impact of these cuts has certainly been felt on the ground across Ipswich and The Somerset Region. Programs have been cancelled.

Clients have been turned away and staff have had to leave centres.

There has been enormous disruption and uncertainty across the sector.

The effect of these cuts to the centre run by TASC here in Ipswich is just one example of the impact across our area.

It's time Malcolm Turnbull and the Liberals put the funding back in to this sector, so we can reverse the inequality of access to justice for those who are disadvantaged or vulnerable.

SHAYNE NEUMANN Federal Member for Blair

OPINION: Letters to the Editor

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