Feds must fund fair share

More Tasmanians will be unfairly impacted by the Federal Labor Government’s cuts as they fail to fund their fair share of Tasmania Legal Aid.

As a result of these cuts, Tasmania Legal Aid has advised from 1 January 2025 that there will now be restrictions on some frontline family law services.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Guy Barnett, has expressed his disappointment at this outcome.

“The Federal Labor Government are letting down the vulnerable Tasmanians who are engaging with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia,” the Attorney-General said.

“They don’t deserve this – this shortfall will have an acute impact for these Tasmanians.

“The 2024-25 Tasmanian Budget includes over $10 million in funding for Tasmania Legal Aid, including for the Just Healthy Families program, but we are calling on the Federal Labor Government to step up.”

Tasmania Legal Aid will be funded by the Commonwealth Government under a new National Access to Justice Partnership from 1 July 2025 to undertake work under Commonwealth law, leaving a six-month funding shortfall.

“Six months without access to adequate counsel in the Federal justice system will adversely impact Tasmanians,” the Attorney-General said.

“The Tasmanian Government has made this clear to Canberra for some time now and will continue to do so.

“An important part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future is a robust justice system – this outcome is unacceptable.”