Whyalla Legal Services

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:39): My question is to the Attorney-General regarding additional funding for Whyalla legal services. Will the Attorney-General inform the council about the government's announcement of new funding to expand the provision of legal services in Whyalla?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (14:40): I thank the honourable member for his question and the concern he has shown not only for Whyalla in particular but for regions across South Australia. I know the honourable member is a regular visitor to our regions; he has affogatos in most cafes right around the state.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Sorry, I may have inadvertently misled parliament: deconstructed affogatos, right across South Australia. I am pleased to share with the council that, as I had outlined earlier today, announcements have been made about significant further support for the community of Whyalla. The commonwealth and state governments are looking to do what we can to support the people of Whyalla and the businesses in Whyalla. There will be funding necessary during these initial periods of administration, but both the state and federal governments recognise that there will be a need for ongoing support for Whyalla and for businesses in Whyalla as we hopefully transition to a new operator of the steelworks.

One small part of what we are providing with this funding is further funds to the Legal Services Commission of South Australia to provide more legal support and service to the people of Whyalla during these uncertain times. The Legal Services Commission, who are South Australia's leading legal aid commission, are a highly regarded legal aid service who provide high-quality and free legal advice to community members and small businesses who need it. New funding will ensure that the Whyalla office is staffed with more lawyers throughout this month, staffing emergency legal services that will provide on-the-spot legal advice and minor assistance to anyone in the Whyalla region, with no financial means testing.

This emergency legal service commenced recently and will operate for four weeks on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The emergency legal advice service will be able to assist individuals and small businesses with legal queries relating to, amongst other things, debt recovery and insolvency, including administration processes, mortgage deferrals, employment queries, Centrelink advice, advice on any government programs that may become available, and residential tenancies. Referrals in relation to related family law and other issues can also be made. Whyalla-based lawyers will also be able to refer individuals to mental health services, financial counselling services and other wraparound support services where necessary.

This is another small but significant indication of the support that we are providing for Whyalla and its people.