The Department of Justice and Attorney-General has announced that a legal assistance pilot program has been created to give the State’s veterans and their families better access to legal assistance, including legal issues experienced by them during their transition to civilian life.
Under the program, to be run over 24 months by Townsville Community Law, veterans will also be able to be helped with legal issues experienced as a consequence of their service and assist with access to veterans’ statutory entitlements.
Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk said that for many veterans, navigating legal matters and accessing Commonwealth entitlements and compensation could be challenging.
“Following our commitment at the 2020 election, the Government is pleased to support the new pilot program, which relieves financial hardship by expanding the legal support offered to veterans,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Attorney-General, Shannon Fentiman said that through the pilot, veterans and their families could benefit from free and independent legal advice across a range of issues.
“Townsville Community Law has been providing free and accessible legal services to those in need in the North Queensland community for more than 25 years,” Ms Fentiman said.
“This pilot program allows Townsville Community Law to engage with the local veterans’ community and provide services — including legal advice, support and advocacy — for a range of legal issues experienced by veterans during their transition to civilian life, or as a consequence of their service.”
More information about the Queensland Government Office for veterans can be accessed via the Queensland Veterans’ Portal at this PS News link.
