Queensland’s Government will spend $100 million in new legal aid funding to help disadvantaged Queenslanders.

The Attorney General’s announcement coincided with Law Week which kicked off with the annual Walk for Justice.

Whitney Angell reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Jarrod Bleijie’s day began early, joining Chief Justice Paul de Jersey on the five-kilometre walk which raises money for pro bono legal services.

It ended with this.

Jarrod Bleijie, Qld Attorney General: “We’re announcing today that we are revolutionising the ‘Libertad’ funding regime to make sure people have funding and quick access to justice, to make sure our community legal centres have the necessary funds.”

The funds will be rolled out over the next three years.

The funding boost means that vulnerable and disadvantaged Queenslanders will have greater access to legal services.

Jarrod Bleijie, Qld Attorney General: “What this government is about is revitalising frontline services for the families, making sure people have access to justice and making sure that people and these organisations can plan well and truly ahead, all their programs.”

Paul de Jersey, QSC Chief Justice: “There are many people in the community who simply cannot afford legal services and that is the great albatross of the civil justice system.”

Justice de Jersey who is soon to take over the reins as Queensland’s Governor, thanked civil legal professionals at the walk for their continual support.

Paul de Jersey, QSC Chief Justice: “The legal profession I’m about to leave is an altruistic profession which is very concerned about bettering availability of legal services for less resourced and less privileged members of the community.”

As part of Law Week the public can arrange a tour of local court houses by going to the justice.qld website.

Whitney Angell, QUT News.