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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-05-16 Daily Xml
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Walk for Justice

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (15:03): My question is to the Attorney-General. Will the minister update the council about JusticeNet's Walk for Justice?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:03): I would be very happy to update the member about Walk for Justice, and I thank him for his question and his absolute determination to make sure South Australians all have access to justice. I was most pleased just this morning to attend the Walk for Justice along the bank of the River Torrens—Karrawirra Parri in the Kaurna language—and we were welcomed to this event by Kaurna elder Corey Turner.

It was good to be joined by a number of members of this parliament: from the other place, the member for Waite, Catherine Hutchesson; the member for Enfield, Minister Andrea Michaels; and the member for Heysen, Josh Teague, the shadow attorney-general. There were also a couple of people from this chamber: the Hon. Ben Hood—who was dressed in shorts and outdid everyone in his athletic attire, I am ashamed to say—and the Hon. Laura Henderson was also in attendance, I noticed, this morning. Apologies to anyone I didn't see and have not mentioned who attended the Walk for Justice this morning.

In the past, at JusticeNet's Walk for Justice, it has been the tradition that the Chief Justice and the Attorney-General cook a barbecue breakfast together for participants, but as the event has grown, I am very relieved that this matter has been left to the professionals to make sure that the breakfast is cooked. I am assured that it was handled very well by the professionals this morning at the Adelaide Zoo.

The Attorney-General's Department team was, once again, out in force today. It has always been a great supporter of JusticeNet through fundraisers like the Crown Solicitor's Office Art Show, funding grants and in-kind assistance through pro bono activities. Lawyers from the Crown and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions have, in years gone by, provided pro bono work through JusticeNet valued at more than $650,000, until, I was informed, that came to an end in a change brought in in relation to practising certificates in 2021.

This state of affairs persisted for almost two years and certainly was a matter that concerned me: that the work that public sector lawyers had been doing with JusticeNet, primarily in federal matters such as migration law, had come to a stop. But I am very pleased, and I want to thank the efforts of the Crown Solicitor and her staff and the Legal Practitioners Education and Administration Council, who worked very hard and very closely together to overcome the concerns and problems. As of March this year, lawyers from both the Crown and the DPP have been able to resume their valuable contribution providing pro bono work through JusticeNet.

Thanks to JusticeNet, thousands of South Australians who would not otherwise have access properly to justice can now access professional and targeted legal advice. I am informed that last year Pro Bono Connect, through JusticeNet, provided over $3 million worth of legal assistance, and the Homeless Legal service provided almost a million dollars through its outreach clinics. JusticeNet South Australia is a not-for-profit legal service that was founded way back in 2001, with the aim of providing access to justice to low income and disadvantaged individuals in South Australia.

The organisation is committed to promoting social justice, addressing systemic issues in the legal system and advocating for policy change that promotes equal justice for all. One of the primary services offered by JusticeNet is legal advice and representation. They provide free advice to individuals who cannot afford a lawyer, and may also provide representation in certain cases. The organisation primarily assists with civil matters, such as family law, tenancy disputes, debt and credit issues, employment disputes and discrimination. JusticeNet SA also has a pro bono referral service that connects individuals with volunteer lawyers who can provide ongoing legal assistance.

In addition to legal services, JusticeNet SA also offers education programs to help individuals better understand their legal rights and responsibilities. They conduct community legal education sessions and workshops to increase legal literacy and help people navigate the legal system more effectively. JusticeNet SA also advocates for systemic changes to improve access to justice for all individuals. They work with government bodies, legal organisations and community groups.

JusticeNet operates with the help of many volunteer lawyers who generously donate their time and expertise, as was evident from the very large crowd this morning of members of the legal profession, the judiciary, the business community and supporters, to help JusticeNet continue to play its vital role in ensuring that all individuals can have access to justice regardless of their financial circumstances.

I am told that Walk for Justice last year raised over $81,000. I am not sure of the final tally for this year's efforts but I understand that it was in excess of $121,000, which is a remarkable feat of fundraising for a walk this morning. I commend and cannot speak highly enough of the work that JusticeNet does, has done and I am sure will continue to do in the future. I thank all those who participated this morning.

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