Victoria community legal centres campaign for $120 million in funding

Community legal centres in Victoria have launched the ‘Community Legal – We’ve Got Your Back’ election campaign, calling for an additional $120 million in investment over the next parliamentary term. The campaign also seeks to secure five-year funding for existing programs to address significant service gaps.

Seniors Rights Victoria, the only centre dedicated to preventing and responding to elder abuse, reported that two Victorians are turned away for every person they are able to assist due to underinvestment. In the previous financial year, the organization handled over 13,000 helpline calls and managed numerous cases involving housing, financial security, and independence.

General legal support in the region is available through various channels, including Victoria Legal Aid and the Law Institute of Victoria. Legal professionals in the state provide assistance across diverse areas such as family violence, estate planning, workplace injuries, and criminal law, with some services extending to remote regional locations.