Today the Independent Review of the National Legal Assistance Partnership (NLAP) led by Dr Warren Mundy has released an Issues Paper inviting submissions on future funding arrangements for the legal assistance sector.
Legal assistance is essential to ensuring access to justice and equality before the law, especially for vulnerable people facing disadvantage.
The current NLAP is a $2.4 billion agreement between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments to fund vital legal assistance services for the most vulnerable people in Australia.
The NLAP includes funding for services delivered by Legal Aid Commissions, Community Legal Centres and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services.
With the current NLAP due to expire in 2025 Dr Warren Mundy was appointed in June to conduct an independent and transparent review into how future arrangements could better provide access to justice for all who need it.
The Issues Paper summarises current legal assistance funding and invites discussion to inform potential future funding agreements. The Paper highlights the Reviewer’s particular focus on the adequacy of legal assistance funding arrangements and access to legal assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
All interested stakeholders are invited to make submissions to ensure the Review is informed by a broad range of expertise and perspectives.
The review will be completed by early 2024 with its findings informing decisions on future funding arrangements for legal assistance.
The Issues Paper is available on the Review’s website at www.nlapreview.com.au.
Submissions in response to the Issues Paper close on 27 October 2023.
