Published on Monday, 19 May 2025

Inner Melbourne Community Legal calls for new investment in justice partnerships

Tomorrow’s Victorian Budget must continue support for vital community legal services, while also demonstrating a plan to increase public housing.

At the very least, the Budget must maintain current funding levels for the community legal sector, which provides free legal advice and support to the state’s most vulnerable residents, says Inner Melbourne Community Legal.

There should also be a modest increase in investment in innovative community justice partnerships to extend legal services to people who often fall through the cracks.

This must include adequate funding to address unmet demand in the Specialist Family Violence Court.

In its pre-Budget submission, IMCL has called for a new investment of $1.2 million over four years towards innovative  Mental Health Justice Partnerships at wellbeing facilities which will open soon in the inner city, and new alcohol and other drug health spaces in the CBD.

Beginning in 2026, this would fund two senior lawyers to establish an integrated legal service to deliver on a finding of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System that legal assistance is critical to wellbeing.

IMCL is also seeking just under $1 million over four years to develop an integrated legal service at maternal child health centres in North Melbourne and Carlton for families who experience disadvantage.

Other key asks from IMCL are $1.3 million over four years to continue the Housing Justice Partnership at Ozanam House and Flagstaff Crisis Accommodation; and $1.5 million over the same period for school lawyers who provide free legal help and education to up to 3400 students in inner Melbourne.

“These are modest asks that total just $1.2 million a year but would make a measurable difference in delivering justice for vulnerable and disadvantaged people who come into the inner city from all over Victoria,” said IMCL chief executive officer Nadia Morales.

“No-one is under any illusions about the financial difficulties facing Victoria, but the Allan Government must avoid going backwards on social justice when it tables the Budget.

“Cost-saving measures should not come at the expense of critical, over-stretched community legal services.

“These services are effective and efficient, and reduce downstream costs within the justice, health and social services sectors”.

Ms Morales said IMCL and the wider community legal sector will also be closely watching the Budget tomorrow for signs of a plan to increase the state’s public housing stock.

“The government seems determined to proceed with its ill-considered plan to demolish and redevelop all 44 public housing towers in Melbourne by 2051, uprooting families and severing communities,” Ms Morales said.

“Under the government’s plans, there will be no public housing left in these locations once the demolitions have been completed.

“In the middle of a housing crisis, the state government cannot walk away from its responsibility to provide affordable and secure housing to vulnerable families. There must be investment in more public housing in tomorrow’s Budget.”

ENDS   

Media contact:   

Mark Phillips; p: 0455 203 258; e: media@imcl.org.au