Legal Services Commission

Ms MICHAELS (Enfield) (14:37): My question is to the Premier. Will the Premier reverse the $4.75 million cut in the 2018-19 state budget to the Legal Services Commission so that women can access valuable legal advice? In case the Premier has not read the 2018-19 state budget papers, I will explain.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Enfield will resume her seat. The Minister for Energy and Mining on a point of order.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order: standing order 97.

The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order and remind members that, in accordance with standing order 97, it is inappropriate to introduce argument or opinion in a question. I will give the member for Enfield an opportunity to rephrase.

Ms MICHAELS: My question is to the Premier. Will the Premier reverse the $4.75 million cut in the 2018-19 state budget to the Legal Services Commission? With your leave, Mr Speaker, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Ms MICHAELS: In Budget Paper 5 of the 2018-19 state budget, page 13, line 2 refers to Legal Services Commission efficiencies totalling $4.75 million over the forward estimates.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government) (14:38): I appreciate the question. It is not the first time we have been asked about this. We did have an estimates process in relation to these matters and these were raised at that time.

There are a couple of issues in relation to the Legal Services Commission. Firstly, a national agreement has been signed. Never before has our state, along with other states, had as much money in the Legal Services Commission, the community legal services and the ALRM. That is the first thing. Secondly, it may not be clear to the member but, if she reads the 2018-19 and 2019-20 budget, she will observe that there was a bringing forward of funds for the Legal Services Commission for the benefit of moneys they got in advance. That was at their request and we agreed to it. To explain it specifically, I am happy to bring the member back a full answer—

Mr Malinauskas interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The leader is called to order.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —as to exactly what the change of arrangements was. It is not perhaps helpful, but certainly not making it clear to the public, if a component is removed and the rest isn't there. So I will undertake to ensure that the member has a full list of what the provisions are in relation to funding to the—

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan: We've got that: it's in the budget.

The SPEAKER: The member for Lee will cease interjecting.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —Legal Services Commission, together with extra moneys that they have been given for other programs, which we are very pleased that they have taken on for the people of South Australia. I just remind other members to appreciate that men, women and children and other members of our LGBT community also receive Legal Services Commission support.