Ms O’CONNOR – Yes. Thank you. Minister, Legal Aid provides assistance to children in the Youth Justice Division of the magistrate’s court and offers an after-hours duty lawyer service in collaboration with the Hobart Community Legal Service. How many children and young people have received assistance through the duty lawyer services over the past year, and what percentage of those cases involved unrepresented defendants?
Mr BARNETT – Thank you very much for those questions. It’s clearly an operational matter and I’ll just check if my department can assist the committee. Yes, they’re still locating the answer so if we could get back to you as soon as possible.
CHAIR – I think it’s arrived. It’s nice to see Kristen Wylie here in the committee room.
Mr BARNETT – Yes, it is. It’s absolutely wonderful to see Kristen here. But perhaps if we just maybe move to the next question and then we’ll come back to the committee.
Ms O’CONNOR – Yes, I’m very happy to do that. Recommendation 1214 of the commission of enquiry report calls for access to legal advice and a bail system for children and young people at AYDC. How soon does government plan to implement and fund this duty lawyer service? Will there be specific funding allocated to ensure children and young people can receive free face-to-face legal advice at any stage of their case?
Mr BARNETT – Yes. Thanks for the question. I think certainly from my part an answer in two parts, and then I’ll pass to the acting secretary. First of all, the funding in the budget for the duty lawyer service is based at Ashley, which I’m really pleased about. That funding increase as I mentioned in my opening remarks is very much appreciated and I know will be appreciated as well. I’m just thinking what that second point was, but I will pass to the acting secretary to add to that answer.
Ms BOURNE – Thanks Attorney-General. Through you. As you’ve noted the additional funding provided to Tasmania Legal Aid to provide legal services and advice to people who are impacted by child sexual abuse includes the provision of the duty lawyer at Ashley, and hopefully provide that really timely access to counsel. The detail about how Legal Aid seeks to provide that service is still something to be worked through. Probably, that’s unfair on Legal Aid. I know Kristen’s done a lot of work with the board to think about how that can roll out, but I think it’s something that can continue to be finalised now that funding has been confirmed.
CHAIR – Okay, thank you.
Mr BARNETT – And through you, Chair, quickly to your first –
CHAIR – Previous question, yes.
Mr BARNETT – Well, to your first part of your question regarding bail reform, and as I have shared more recently, so the government plans to table a bill this year with respect to bail reform. At least, stage 1 of that, and with further reforms expected next year.
Ms O’CONNOR – Can I put that initial question on notice about how many children have received assistance?
Mr BARNETT – Yes, yes. I think we’ve got the answer. Thank you. Through you, Chair.
Ms VAN ADRICHEM – I have the answer. Through you, Attorney-General. In the south, there were 53 youth matters that Hobart Community Legal Service assisted with – from 1 July 23 until 30 June 24.
CHAIR –
Ms VAN ADRICHEM – And in the north, there are 17 representation services, 13 in Launceston, two in Devonport, and two in Burnie.
CHAIR – Okay, thank you.
Ms O’CONNOR – Thank you.
