Whittlesea Community Connections is set to share in joint funding of almost $30 million from the Andrews Labor Government, and the Commonwealth, for community legal centres across the state to respond to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Whittlesea Community Connections will receive $321,500 to support its continued delivery of frontline legal assistance services during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio and Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny welcomed the funding, which will provide more members of the community with access to justice as they face the challenges arising from COVID-19.

Whittlesea Community Connections is responding to increased demand due to the impacts of COVID-19, providing vital support to Victorians with family violence related matters, fines and consumer issues.

Its services include providing information, education, advice and advocacy to deliver better legal outcomes for vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the local community.

The funding boost will also help Whittlesea Community Connections to upgrade technology so that more community members can access the help they need remotely and digitally while the COVID-19 restrictions remain ongoing.

The Victorian Government’s $17.5 million COVID-19 response is in addition to funding recently agreed with the Commonwealth under the National Legal Assistance Partnership 2020-25 Agreement.

The Agreement will see an additional $4 million in funding each year for the legal assistance sector in Victoria compared to the expiring National Partnership Agreement 2015-20.

Quote attributable to Attorney-General Jill Hennessy

“Our community legal centres are on the frontline, helping Victorians who need support every single day – this funding will ensure they provide this support virtually, to more Victorians.”

Quote attributable to Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio

“Whittlesea Community Connections does vital work supporting people in our community every day, this extra support recognises that work as well as the challenges of operating during the coronavirus pandemic.”

Quote attributable to Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny

“With this funding boost our community can be assured that they will continue to have a place to turn for legal help when they need it.”