South East Community Legal Service

Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (15:32): I rise to talk about the South East Community Legal Service and point out to the house just how out of touch this state Labor government is in reducing the level of service and pulling it back to a centralised model where legal services will basically be done over a telephone with limited face-to-face opportunity. The South East Community Legal Service was established over 17 years ago when the Howard federal government announced that they would fund community legal centres.

A small group of people who recognised that this service would be invaluable for the South-East formed an incorporated body called the South East Community Legal Service. This group consisted of people from within the local community, charitable organisations, the legal fraternity and other like-minded people within the community. This was when the South East Community Legal Service was established.

Presently, there are eight community legal centres that receive commonwealth funding in South Australia. The South Australian Labor government only contributes just under $1 million each year to the community legal centres, or just 19 per cent of the total funding pool. It is of no surprise that South Australia is the second lowest contributor of any state or territory government in Australia, with other state governments contributing 40 per cent or more.

Over the last 17 years, the electorates of Mount Gambier and MacKillop have received outstanding service from the South East Community Legal Service, which has delivered assistance to low income and disadvantaged people. Leaders of our community have also recognised the essential contribution that the organisation provides, with the City of Mount Gambier providing the building where the service is established at a peppercorn rent. In fact, the City of Mount Gambier was so incensed by these cuts that the mayor held a special council meeting for council representatives to determine a course of action.

Over the last 17 years, the South East Community Legal Service has assisted people from seven different councils within our region, stretching right up to Tatiara. Assistance is provided by the hardworking members of the South East Community Legal Service team by either a face-to-face appointment at their office, a telephone call, an email, online contact or outreach appointments. The team also attends Mount Gambier Prison, which has been subject to a number of expansions under this state Labor government.

To quantify how important this service is to the South-East, in 2015-16, 1,254 appointments were undertaken, 942 face-to-face appointments, 285 telephone calls and 27 advice appointments were provided by mail or email. Of those 1,254 appointments, 49 per cent were civil, 39 per cent family law and 12 per cent criminal law. Interestingly, the demand for the prison has increased since 2011-12, when it started. There were 50 face-to-face appointments at the prison, and in 2015-16 it had grown to 130. Unfortunately, with a reduction in services and the continued expansion of Mount Gambier Prison, many of these matters will not be addressed.

In terms of income source, 64 per cent of the income of the South East Community Legal Service's clients was from government pension benefits or allowances, 23 per cent earned an income, 11.5 per cent had no income at all and 1.5 per cent indicated 'other source of income'. So, 75 per cent were on a low income of up to $26,000 per year, 11.5 per cent were receiving a medium income of between $26,000 and $52,000 per year and 1 per cent were receiving an income of over $52,000 a year.

From time to time, my office has been in contact with the South East Community Legal Service for assistance. I have always found them to be very helpful and professional. Sometimes it is not a legal problem; however, they are always willing to make suggestions on where help may be obtained. I am sure we are not the only office within the Limestone Coast who have approached them for help. I want to commend the board of management and recognise their contribution to this very important service. They include: Suzanne Mutton, Grant Redding, Ebony Cunningham, Michele Osmond, Tracey Wanganeen, Nicholas Kidman and Tasja Barelds.