Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
I have been asked to speak on the Government’s plan to provide social justice. Access to
justice is a critical component of social justice and access to justice initiatives
can have an enormous impact on community well-being, particularly for the more vulnerable and isolated
members of our community. I would therefore like to start by outlining some of our initiatives
to improve access to justice. Breaking the cycle of legal problems that can lead to disadvantage
is an important priority for the Government and before I mention the Work and Development
Orders Scheme I recognise the presence of the Hon Greg Pearce, my parliamentary colleague
who as Minister for Finance, co-operated very much in this initiative within his department
and our department in setting up or establishing on a permanent basis the Work and Development
Order Scheme. For people with accumulated fine debts it is a clear example of a successful
strategy that aims to break this cycle. For those of you who are not familiar with the
Scheme, Work and Development Orders made by the State Debt Recovery Office allow people
who are experiencing acute economic hardship, who are homeless or who have a mental illness
or an intellectual disability to pay off their Court fine and/or penalty notice debt by undertaking
certain courses of treatment or unpaid work with approved organisations and health practitioners.
Initially it was a two-year pilot and in response to a very positive evaluation we recently
made the Scheme permanent. We have committed funding to improve the Scheme and help it
expand across the State. Part of the funding has gone to establish a state-wide network
of regional Work and Development Order teams at Legal Aid NSW and the Aboriginal Legal
Service. The teams will not only educate people about how to deal with find debts and how
to apply for Work and Development Orders but will assist organisations and health practitioners
to participate in the Scheme. The teams will be based at Coffs Harbour, Wollongong, Orange
and Liverpool. They will work closely with Aboriginal field officers employed by Legal
Aid NSW and the Aboriginal Legal Service. Funding is also being provided to recruit
two additional Aboriginal field officers. Mental health professionals have found the
Scheme to be an effective tool for engaging participants in treatment and the development
of new skills has increased employment opportunities for participants.
I would like to thank the Public Interest Advocacy Centre for its key role in the development
of the Work and Development Orders.