George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, I can, and in fact the announcement I made at one o'clock this afternoon will restore that certainty. As I acknowledged, as the national partnership agreement, which is a quadrennial agreement, moved to the expiry of its term on 30 June 2015 there was concern entertained by some in the legal assistance sector as to what would happen from 1 July. The 2013 MYEFO announcement did foreshadow that cuts would be made after 1 July 2015, although I am at pains to point out to Senator Mason that those cuts have not taken effect yet. And as a result of the decision made by the Prime Minister, in consultation with myself and with my friend Senator Nigel Scullion and my friend Senator Michaelia Cash in recent days, those cuts will not take effect. There will be no diminution in Commonwealth legal assistance arising from that decision. (Time expired)