INVESTMENT IN ADVICE FOR ACT HOMELESS

Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and ACT Attorney-General, Simon Corbell, today launched the Street Law outreach legal service for homeless people in the ACT.

The Federal and ACT Government's have invested $540,000 in this important initiative which provides legal advice and referrals for the homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless in areas such as debt, welfare, tenancy and domestic violence issues.

"Community Legal Centres such as Street Law are an important element in preventing and addressing homelessness and providing access to justice for the most disadvantaged in our community," Mr McClelland said.

Street Law is a joint initiative of ACT Community Legal Centres, Legal Aid ACT and the Aboriginal Legal Service.

It is hosted by the Canberra Welfare Rights & Legal Centre and has also received support from the local legal profession, including through pro bono work undertaken by Minter Ellison and the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS).

In this year's Federal Budget, the Australian Government invested an additional $26.8 million in the Community Legal Services Program, including over $2.2 million targeted at those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

"The important work of services such as Street Law will help to better identify opportunities to assist homeless people to achieve greater control over their personal circumstances," Mr Corbell said.

Today's announcement follows funding by the Federal and ACT Governments to help establish Street Law last year.

More information on Street Law is available at: http://www.streetlaw.org.au/.

Media Contact:

Patrick Cronan 6205 0401 0432 758 224 patrick.cronan@act.gov.au