The Department of Justice has developed an Action Plan that sets out how it will improve access to justice services for vulnerable and disadvantaged people.
The Legal Assistance Action Plan forms part of the requirements of the National Legal Assistance Partnership agreement between the Commonwealth, States and Territories.
WA’s legal assistance sector includes the Aboriginal Legal Service, Community Legal Centres, Family Violence Prevention Legal Services, Legal Aid WA, Law Access and other stakeholders.
Consultation between the legal assistance sector, key stakeholders and the Department of Justice had aided the development of the Action Plan.
One of the main pillars of the Action Plan involves the Department working with the sector to attract and retain staff with the appropriate skill sets.
Welcoming the Action Plan, Attorney General, John Quigley said it supported the provision of culturally safe and timely legal assistance services for people experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage.
“While it has been developed in accordance with the National Legal Assistance Partnership, the Department’s Action Plan seeks to go beyond the minimum requirements,” Mr Quigley said.
“The Department will continue its work with the legal assistance sector, building its capacity to respond to the legal needs of WA’s diverse and geographically vast community.”
He said the Action Plan put Western Australia in lockstep to facilitate access to high quality services.
The 15-page Legal Assistance Action Plan can be accessed on the Department of Justice at this PS News link.
