The last year has been extremely busy and somewhat frustrating for Community Legal Centres.
The demand by the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in our community for legal assistance continues to grow. Community Legal Centres (CLCs) have struggled to maintain services and staff amid rising costs and increasing obligations while funding levels have stagnated meaning not enough financial resources. CLCs have secured funding to 30 June 2020, but there was little to no increase in quantum. Again, we are faced with the difficulties of staff retention and limited opportunity for long term service planning for another year
However, as times have become tougher, the solidarity in the sector grows.