The State Library of NSW has partnered with Legal Aid NSW to empower people to understand their legal rights when dealing with Government Agencies and services.
Acting Chief Executive of Legal Aid NSW, Monique Hitter said lawyers would be on the ground in public libraries across NSW during Law Week (16–22 May) delivering presentations on two big topics.
Ms Hitter said the Navigating the system talk would help people understand their legal rights when dealing with a range of Government Agencies and services, and the Dealing with National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) service-providers presentation would explore consumer rights, contracts and other important information for people buying products or services through the NDIS.
State Librarian John Vallance said the sessions built on the State Library’s Find Legal Answers service, a partnership with NSW public libraries providing legal information to answer common questions about the law.
“These Law Week events allow lawyers to share their expertise with their local communities and cut through the noise by providing information on topics that are relevant to all of us,” Dr Vallance said.
Ms Hitter said that in in 2020–2021, Legal Aid NSW provided more than 55,000 legal services to people who needed help with Centrelink decisions, the NDIS, consumer rights and other everyday legal issues.
“Research tells us people will often turn to well-meaning friends or family members when they run into a legal problem – or they may even do nothing,” Ms Hitter said.
“Providing trusted, accurate information about these topics and letting people know where to go if they can’t resolve a dispute themselves can have a lasting, positive impact on some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”
The Acting CEO said to complement the Law Week events, Legal Aid NSW would also host Meet the Ombudsman, a special online panel discussion on 24 May featuring representatives from the Energy and Water Ombudsman (EWON), the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), and the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.
“This webinar event is a must for community workers, financial counsellors and other advocates assisting consumers,” she said.
Further information on Law Week 2022 events can be accessed at this PS News link and a list of participating libraries at this link.
People can register to attend the Meet the Ombudsman panel discussion at this link.
