- Independent Reviewer Dr Warren Mundy appointed to review access to justice
- Delivery of legal assistance services vital for vulnerable people facing disadvantage
- Consultation to begin with WA's legal assistance sector and community groups
Attorney General John Quigley has welcomed the appointment of eminent Independent Reviewer Dr Warren Mundy to assess the delivery of vital legal assistance services in Western Australia.
Dr Mundy will lead the Review of the National Legal Assistance Partnership (NLAP), a $2.4 billion agreement between the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments to fund legal assistance for vulnerable people.
Dr Mundy brings a wealth of experience to the role, having been Presiding Commissioner on the Productivity Commission's landmark Access to Justice Arrangements public enquiry.
Extensive consultation with WA's legal assistance sector will now commence, including Legal Aid WA, Community Legal Centres, Aboriginal Legal Service, Family Violence Prevention Legal Services, as well as key stakeholders and relevant community organisations.
NLAP is focussed on improving access to justice and the review will assess legal need, legal assistance funding, effectiveness of services and reporting requirements.
The WA Government will distribute almost $140 million to the State's legal assistance sector in 2023-2024, including $61.6 million from the Commonwealth.
With the current NLAP due to expire in 2025, the final review report will inform decisions on future funding of legal assistance for Western Australians. The review will be complete by early 2024.
The NLAP review's Terms of Reference are available here: https://www.ag.gov.au/legal-system/publications/terms-reference-independent-review-national-legal-assistance
As stated by Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus:
"Legal assistance is essential to ensuring access to justice and equality before the law, especially for vulnerable people facing disadvantage.
"With the current National Legal Assistance Partnership 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."
As stated by WA Attorney General John Quigley:
"I welcome the appointment of Dr Warren Mundy, who brings a wealth of experience having led a range of high-level reviews.
"I am confident this review will help ensure Western Australians experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage are able to access appropriate legal assistance.
"This review will boost our understanding of the legal assistance being delivered and inform how future arrangements may further improve access to justice for people in need."
