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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-10-29 Daily Xml
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JusticeNet SA

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (17:39): My question is directed to the Attorney-General. Attorney, can you provide an update about JusticeNet and activities to celebrate its fifth anniversary of operation?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Industrial Relations) (17:39): I am able to provide some information, as it turns out, about JusticeNet. On 24 October, I had the honour of attending the fifth birthday celebration of JusticeNet SA. As many members of the house will be aware, JusticeNet provides pro bono legal assistance for low income and disadvantaged South Australians who would not otherwise be able to access the civil justice system.

JusticeNet also provides assistance to charitable and community organisations. This allows such organisations to focus their limited resources on core service delivery. Since its inception, JusticeNet has developed a reputation for providing legal services to low income earners who are at risk of falling through the gap in existing legal service delivery. JusticeNet has been active in its own fundraising, with an annual Walk for Justice, now a staple for the South Australian legal calendar. I have to say that I have been on that several times myself and it is quite exhilarating, except when it rains.

Many of South Australia's pre-eminent law firms now take on pro bono matters referred by JusticeNet. This ensures that members of our community who would not otherwise be able to afford it are getting the best legal assistance available. The celebration was a lively affair, held in Published ArtHouse, a place I had not been to before, but a very exciting little venue.

Mr Gardner: MCs Anthony Durkin and Alex Ward?

The Hon. J.R. RAU: It is a very nice little venue, and Mr Ward was there.

Ms Redmond: And Mr Durkin, don't forget Mr Durkin.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Indeed.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Not caught again, Deputy Premier.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Not at all. I do have a question, a matter of clarification, Mr Speaker: is clairvoyance disorderly? Let me go on. It was a lively affair, as I said, in the Published ArtHouse, which is a place I had not previously been to. It is very good. It had food trucks, jazz bands and DJs keeping the crowd entertained. The large turnout was a testament to the standing that JusticeNet has within the South Australian community, with judges, barristers, including Mr Ward—yes, correct—

Ms Redmond: And Mr Durkin.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: —and Mr Durkin. Both Ward and Durkin were there, and both Ward and Durkin are barristers. They were there, yes, as were MPs and members of the legal profession generally, a great number of them.

I would like to acknowledge the hard work of JusticeNet's executive director, Mr Tim Graham, for his efforts in establishing JusticeNet and his continued passion for providing access to justice for disadvantaged members of our community. I would also like to acknowledge the hardworking staff of JusticeNet in Elizabeth Boxall, Claire Benn, Kate Denton, Kate Chapley and Louise Young. It was an honour to attend the fifth birthday celebrations, and I am confident that JusticeNet will continue to assist the South Australian community into the future.

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