Bar Association president adds voice to calls to halt legal aid cuts

09/03/2015

Law reform and public affairs

State and territory attorneys-general have expressed their firm opposition to further legal aid cuts by the Australian Government. In a letter to Attorney General Brandis, the attorneys warned of a crisis in legal assistance, which would affect the most vulnerable in the community and could cause trials to be halted if the accused is unrepresented.

President Jane Needham SC added the Bar Association's concern for a "long term solution to the legal aid crisis".

"The federal government needs to meet its responsibilities under the Commonwealth/state legal aid agreement and provide the $200 million in funding for legal aid recommended by the Productivity Commission in its recent Access to Justice report", Ms Needham said.