Separating families
joined to support

A boost in support for families going through separation has been announced by the former Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon.
   Ms Roxon said $8 million had been allocated for a series of one-off injections for services that assisted Australian families in such times, including $4 million for Children’s Contact Services; $2.56 million for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS); and $1.2 million for Community Legal Centres (CLCs).
   “We know how tough it is for separating families, so that’s why we are providing this funding boost,” Ms Roxon said.
Legal services made easier
   “Children’s contact services provide a safe, child-focussed venue for supervised visits and changeovers to help children of separated parents.
   “Putting the needs of children front and centre in family law matters is an absolute priority.”
   She said the additional funding for ATSILS recognised their role in providing high quality, culturally appropriate and accessible frontline legal assistance to communities.
   “Following separation, families often need information, support and advice from a range of professionals,” she said.
   “This funding will mean senior family lawyers can be employed by CLCs and ATSILS to deliver more family law services to women, children and their families.
   “This funding is especially important for regional and remote communities where most of these services are located.”
   Ms Roxon said the Commonwealth’s total contribution for legal assistance services over the next four years would be $1.3 billion and represented the largest commitment in over a decade.
Edition 347, 5 February 2013
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