Legal Aid In Need of Funds - and some light shone on it.

 

Post on Radio National's Facebook page this morning, regarding Legal Aid in Australia. 

The interview because the budget failed to provide sufficient funding and the organisation is facing a 30% reduction in funds over the next three years. (starting OEFY next year).  In three and four years time I think we could opine that the need would be possibly 30% greater that now - but they choose to decrease funding.  

 

Does that mean they have some reason to believe the demand will decrease?

 

Interesting interview regarding legal aid this morning. Would have been interesting to inquire into a couple of things:

. What is at the bottom of the high demand? Is it the poverty itself? Or use of drugs? Or drink? Or homelessness? Or family violence (why the violence?) ?

. What particular groups if any are turned away amongst these thousands you claim are turned away every month (!?). Is there a group therefore effectively with no hope of legal aid?

. Why does it cost so much? Is it the cost of counsel alone? What sort of counsel? Is their remuneration excessive ? (almost certainly). How many millions per year goes directly to remuneration of counsel if it is this way?

. Why is counsel required (if it is)? What are they arguing for the most part? Is there a recurring argument that could be a good reason for new legislation?

Just as a ' for instance.'