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

As I said to you, Senator Lazarus, in my answer to your primary question: there has been a reallocation of funding as between community legal centres and legal aid commissions, which are the two largest elements of the provision of legal assistance funded by the Commonwealth. But the aggregate Commonwealth investment of more than $1.6 billion is actually an increase, not a decrease. As I said in answer to your initial question, I think we should really look at the aggregate figure, because there are various avenues through which legal assistance services are provided.

In relation to the Women's Safety Package, there are, as I said, 12 new domestic violence units—this is all new money—and four health justice partnerships. I visited one in Adelaide when I was there for cabinet last week, which provides a whole-of-professional services service to people in the locality of Elizabeth. (Time expired)