Walk for Justice

The Hon. M. EL DANNAWI (14:33): My question is to the Attorney-General. Will the minister inform the council about this year's JusticeNet fundraiser event Walk for Justice?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:34): I thank the honourable member for her question and her interest in this area. It is always an honour to take part in JusticeNet's annual fundraising event, Walk for Justice. Each year, hundreds of walkers gather early in the morning, united by their determination not just for competitive fundraising but also for JusticeNet and to take a stroll along the River Torrens as part of the Walk for Justice. I know this year, as in previous years, members of parliament, including myself, took part in the walk. I spent some time walking with the Hon. Robert Simms, who was not dressed as splendidly as he is today because it was an early morning walk.

JusticeNet is a not-for-profit pro bono legal service that was founded in 2001 with the aim of providing access to justice for low income and disadvantaged South Australians. It's an organisation whose staff and leadership are steadfastly committed to promoting social justice, addressing systemic issues in the legal system and advocating for policy change to promote equal access to justice. JusticeNet SA provides free legal advice to individuals who cannot afford a lawyer and may also provide representation primarily in civil matters, such as family law, tenancy disputes, debt and credit issues, employment disputes, and discrimination. It also provides a pro bono referral service that connects eligible individuals with volunteer lawyers who can provide ongoing legal assistance.

Legal education is also a significant part of JusticeNet's service delivery, where community legal education sessions and workshops are held to increase legal literacy and to help people better navigate the justice system. These free services are able to be delivered to JusticeNet thanks to their dedicated staff and lawyers and the many volunteers and legal students, and with funding grants through the Attorney's-General's Department and generous donations from the community, as was seen through the Walk for Justice event again this year.

I am very pleased to be able to say that this year the collective efforts from the community saw, I am advised, in excess of $160,000 being raised for Walk for Justice for JusticeNet, which surpassed the goal of $150,000. These funds will mean that thousands of South Australians will have access to quality legal assistance when they may otherwise have gone without representation.

I am also pleased to be able to inform the chamber of a rule change that has recently come into effect that helps the services that JusticeNet provides. There was a rule change that came into effect back in 2001, meaning that public sector lawyers from the DPP and the Crown Solicitor's Office who wished to undertake pro bono work through JusticeNet needed to gain qualifications above and beyond those required for their day-to-day work.

Following discussions between the Crown and the Legal Practitioners Education and Admission Council, the changes that were made were wound back, allowing pro bono work referred from JusticeNet to resume within the rule change that came into effect last year. I am pleased that the government, through the Crown, was able to work with the Legal Practitioners Education and Admission Council to make sure that those who wished to continue this pro bono work were able to do so as public sector lawyers.

I want to pay tribute to JusticeNet's CEO, Rebecca Ross, and the whole JusticeNet team for all the work they do, not just in coordinating the fundraiser for this year but day in and day out in providing access to justice for people who might not otherwise get it.