Commission to review access to justice

Legal bodies have welcomed the announcement that the Productivity Commission will examine how to improve access to justice across Australia, in an article reported in Lawyers Weekly.

The Commission will report on the number of Australians who may not be able to afford legal representation but who do not qualify for legal assistance.

Law Council of Australia president Michael Colbran QC said the steady decline in legal assistance sector funding over the last 17 years has affected many Australians who cannot afford legal representation, restricting access to justice and seriously impacting on the enforcement and protection of legal rights.

A Judith Stubbs and Associates report indicated that for every dollar the Commonwealth invests, Community Legal Centres return a benefit to society of 18 times that cost.

“Investing in the justice system has clear economic benefits for governments, not only in terms of a more efficient legal system but through a decrease in demand for other government services,” said Colbran, adding that all Australians have a fundamental right to access legal advice and services, regardless of their means.

This comes along with the recommendations made by the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee in the value of a justice reinvestment approach to criminal law in Australia, including progressive and sustainable funding for programs which help to decrease the number of people going through the criminal justice system in Australia through early intervention such as community legal centres.

Read more about the Committee Report.

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