The Albanese Government has today commenced an Independent Review of the National Legal Assistance Partnership (NLAP).
Legal assistance is essential to ensuring access to justice and equality before the law, especially for vulnerable people facing disadvantage.
The current NLAP is a $2.4 billion agreement between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments to fund vital legal assistance services for the most vulnerable people in Australia.
The NLAP includes funding for services delivered by Legal Aid Commissions, Community Legal Centres, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services.
With the current NLAP due to expire in 2025, this independent and transparent review will consider how future arrangements could better provide access for justice for all who need it.
With the agreement of all state and territory Attorneys-General, I have appointed Dr Warren Mundy as the independent reviewer.
Dr Mundy was the Presiding Commissioner on the Productivity Commission's landmark Access to Justice Arrangements public inquiry and brings a wealth of experience to the review.
The Independent Review's terms of reference have been agreed by all jurisdictions in consultation with representatives from the legal assistance sector.
The review will be completed by early 2024, with findings informing decisions on future funding arrangements for legal assistance.
The NLAP review's Terms of Reference are available on the Attorney-General Department's website.
