Legal aid faces funding cuts
NORTHERN Rivers Community Legal Centre may be forced to close its Tweed office due to funding cuts.
The centre provides free legal advice, advocacy and education in cases of domestic violence, family law and animal and environmental protection.
It's also had funding cut back to the Murwillumbah Community Centre and Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre offices.
The service is campaigning to have the funding restored and considering cutting back Lismore staff to service the Tweed's growing population.
"From the last round of cuts we have lost 20% in cuts to the Aboriginal Legal Access Program," principal Ken Beilby said. "We lost a dedicated solicitor for one day a week (from that program). In addition to that, the Tweed office received a cut of 15% and that reduced the solicitors' hours by one day a week.
"We also lost the Community Development and Community Legal Education position one day a week."
Mr Beilby said they were in the dark regarding further cuts but had been "told to expect another 5% to 10%".
"If we lose further funding that whole office may have to close," he said.
