Integrated justice programs renewed with Victorian government funding

People in the most need of legal help will continue to be supported after the Victorian Budget confirmed ongoing funding of key programs run by Inner Melbourne Community Legal.

IMCL welcomes the Allan Government’s reinvestment in integrated justice models that have been shown to make a real difference to the lives of people from all over Melbourne who use its services.

There is renewed funding for the Health Justice Partnership at the Royal Women’s Hospital to deliver holistic legal services to women from all over Victoria who would struggle to get access to legal support in other circumstances. This was in danger of lapsing.

The reinvestment in early intervention and support in the Specialist Family Violence Court will not only assist vulnerable women before they come to court and at the day of court, but also identify other legal issues and connect them with relevant services.

Funding that was due to lapse for IMCL’s public housing integrated legal service has been renewed providing continuity of service to these vibrant communities.

“Continuity of government funding will allow Inner Melbourne Community Legal to maintain programs with other agencies including hospitals and learning and language centres and other social services for people who often fall through the cracks,” said IMCL chief executive officer Nadia Morales.

“IMCL helped more than 200 people at our Health Justice Partnerships at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Nearly half of the people we assist were experiencing family violence, and 28 per cent were at risk of, or experiencing homelessness.

“IMCL is also pleased to see the state government recognise the importance of school lawyers through funding services being delivered by Westjustice.

“This model is particularly important to support diversion and early intervention and address offending behaviours to keep young people out of the youth justice and prison system.”

IMCL additionally welcomes the renewal of funding for the Victims’ Legal Service which provides free legal advice and support to people who have suffered injury or loss because of a crime. This is especially important for victims of family and domestic violence.

While there was no funding in this year’s Budget in response to IMCL’s proposal for Mental Health Justice Partnerships at wellbeing and drug and alcohol treatment centres, nor for integrated legal services at maternal child health centres, IMCL will continue to advocate with government for these programs in the future.

ENDS 

Media contact:  

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

Inner Melbourne Community Legal acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we work, the Boon wurrung and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin nation. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded and pay our respects to their cultures and Elders past and present. This always was and always will be Aboriginal Land.

Everyone is welcome at Inner Melbourne Community Legal, regardless of race, religion, gender or sexuality.