Wednesday, 4 May 2016
MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has today announced that not-for-profit groups across the region will for the first time have access to free legal help.
Mr Marshall said there were many wonderful organisations locally which helped the vulnerable and other groups in the community and who contribute to making the community great.
“But many of these hard-working community groups could do with a hand cutting through the red tape,” Mr Marshall said.
“This new initiative from the government means that we can really ‘help the helpers’.
“The State Government has partnered with specialist legal organisation Justice Connect to provide $275,000 a year for three years, to assist not for profit organisations in understanding their legal requirements.
“Justice Connect has 5,000 pro bono lawyers in NSW and they can assist not-for-profit organisations with their legal obligations, providing 200,000 not-for-profit community groups in NSW with free, online, up-to-date legal information; low cost training and a free phone inquiry service.”
Not for profit groups helped by Justice Connect include: community arts; financial counselling; volunteer support; indigenous organisations and CALD community groups; harm prevention charities; seniors and aged care support; disability support; carer’s organisations; ‘friends of’ and heritage groups; water conservation; NFPs working in disaster-affected areas; community development committees; social enterprises; not for profit childcare centres.
Community groups needing legal assistance can contact Justice Connect on the website at: www.justiceconnect.org.au/nfplaw or simply call 1800 NFP LAW.