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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-12-01 Daily Xml
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Women's Domestic Violence Court Assistance Service

Ms LUETHEN (King) (16:19): My question is to the Attorney-General. Can the Attorney-General update the house on the success of the Women's Domestic Violence Court Assistance Service?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government) (16:20): I am very pleased to do so, and I thank the member for King not only for this question but also for her advocacy for some of our most vulnerable in the community.

The Women's Domestic Violence Court Assistance Service does what its title says: they assist women navigating the court system, and the three principal areas of support are in relation to the legal advice about intervention orders and also about tenancy disputes. They are also very active to navigate the Magistrates Court processes if they need to vary or amend or revoke provisions in relation to the intervention orders, and they assist specifically in relation to tenancy matters with advice and appearances through SACAT.

It is a really important service, and it really has had outstanding success in the last 12 months. It can refer those in need to other services as well. Since Legal Services commenced its delivering of this service following a competitive procurement process, the commission has, due to its ability to provide a comprehensive service with a high level of expertise, successfully received $1,867,583 in funding from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2023, including an optional extension year.

But here is what is really impressive: between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020, the service provided a staggering 1,201 services to 845 clients. The service included 318 provisions of information to clients, 630 provisions of legal advice and/or assistance, 69 duty lawyer attendances and 185 legal representations. Its target for the number of legal services to women in need exceeded that—that is, it had a target of 800 clients per year, which previously had been aimed for and not achieved, unfortunately, by the former provider in the previous year 2018-19—so 106 per cent of the target is a magnificent effort.

Personally I want to thank and acknowledge Gabrielle Canny, the commission's director. She has been a champion in relation to new initiatives which the commission has taken up and which we have been very proud to support. She has made a great contribution, and this is just another stellar performance of the commission, which is providing a statewide service to mostly women in this area and particularly important, of course, is that they do not have to pay anything. It is a comprehensive service. It is way above its weight in target, and it has delivered an outstanding service comprehensively across the state for free.

The SPEAKER: Before I call the member for Florey, I call to order the member for Reynell.

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