Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I don't think it is fair to accuse the Attorney-General of hiding a report that he only received three weeks ago. It's understandable that he and the government more broadly would take a little bit of time to consider the recommendations of that review before either releasing it or announcing what our response to that review will be.

The Albanese government recognises the pressures that these services are under, and we also recognise the importance of strengthening the legal assistance sector. We recognise that legal assistance is essential to ensuring access to justice and equality before the law for all Australians, including our First Australians. That's exactly why the Attorney-General commissioned the review of the National Legal Assistance Partnership between the Commonwealth and all states and territories. This review report was received on 5 March, and it's now being considered by federal, state and territory attorneys-general.