Legal aid programs face cuts in May budget
Legal services that help victims of domestic violence could also be cut, along with other family and relationship services, as the federal government seeks more savings in the May budget.
Just two years after the Albanian government pledged an extra $1 billion in funding to combat domestic violence, the Cabinet’s powerful Spending Review Committee discussed cuts to Family Relationship Services programs in Attorney-General Michelle Rowland’s portfolio that cost taxpayers a total of $285 million a year.
The programs are separate from those run in Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek’s portfolio and are often used after someone has escaped domestic or domestic violence.
Services under threat include access to legal aid for people escaping family and domestic violence, mediation services for separated couples, counseling and communication services used where only supervised access to a parent’s child is allowed.
The review committee meets regularly to avoid cuts ahead of the May budget, amid growing global uncertainty and rising fuel prices, and all ministers have been instructed to seek further savings ahead of a tougher-than-usual budget.
Any cuts to programs in Rowland’s portfolio would go against the government’s previous approach to tackling domestic violence; This approach includes another $702 million commitment to help women and children fleeing domestic violence in September 2024 as part of a new $4.4 billion package of services.
Announcing the extra funding in September, Albanese described domestic violence as a “national crisis”.
“We must take action to ensure women are safe. These horrific and disturbing deaths and vile violence must be prevented. Achieving this requires action and change at all levels of government.”
“These are services for victim-survivors who need an attorney, for example, and if they can’t afford it, if they can’t pay for it themselves,” said a source familiar with the federal government’s deliberations who asked to remain anonymous so they could speak freely.
The source said legal services programs are not just for victims of domestic violence, and whether that was the government’s intention or not, the cut would disproportionately affect victims.
“Making these cuts, whether accidental or not, will hurt providers. They need these funding grants and this is at a critical juncture right now.”
A spokesman for the attorney general said the government was “committed to supporting programs that help families in crisis.”
“The government will not pre-empt the consequences of funding decisions made in the context of the budget.”
Rowland’s department has promised the industry it will advise service providers working under the schemes about future funding arrangements as soon as possible.
The review of statutory programs ordered by former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus made 16 recommendations when it is presented in June 2024, including simplifying the Family Relationship Services Program, better case management, greater focus on children’s needs and better access for all Australians.
The government has not yet responded to the review, but it is ongoing.
High-profile community services such as aged care and the National Disability Insurance Scheme are also experiencing cuts.
A senior minister said the government was “moving from a budget that only had to deal with high inflation to one that had to deal with higher inflation and a much less specific international environment”.
“And we’re still dealing with a budget that’s running a structural deficit. The next two weeks are going to be crucial.”
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James Massola is the chief political commentator. He was previously national affairs editor and Southeast Asia correspondent. He won the Quill and Kennedy awards and was a Walkley finalist. Connect securely to Signal @jamesmassola.01Connect with: X or email.
