Ms BURNET – Minister, this is something no doubt close to your heart: the Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service –
Ms OGILVIE – Very close to my heart.
Ms BURNET – does essential work advocating for refugees and humanitarian entrants who have experienced severe trauma, violence or disadvantage, helping them to rebuild their lives and understand there are options in Tasmania, but despite this, they are among the lowest‑funded community legal services in the state, and on a shoestring budget service over 1500 clients, but they don’t have a Launceston office. Every week, they serve roughly 30 per cent of their clients based in the north. Considering that essential work, will the government consider setting aside funding for a Launceston office, to support the essential services provided to the refugee community?
Ms OGILVIE – Great question. I’m really happy again, to speak with the Attorney‑General, he holds the purse springs in relation to that, just to see where his mind is at, but of course, as you correctly identified, yes, it is very close to my heart and for those who might be listening in, for many years when I was in private practice I would act pro bono for refugees. We had a lot of successes; it was hard work, but unfortunately, by the very nature of the work, it’s quite specialised, particularly with migrants and visas, so you do need to fund it properly and make sure that you’ve got lawyers engaged.
I had a bit to do with setting up the refugee legal service originally, so I’d love to assist, and I hear your cry from the heart. The Launceston side of things I feel is also a gap, if I can take that on board. You would have my support philosophically, as to whether we can squeeze some more money out of someone or not, but again, how about a budget submission? They put one in –
Ms BURNET – We can write to them and suggest that.
Ms OGILVIE – I would do that. There’s a little bit of extra support being offered regarding Department of Home Affairs and what they may be able to support as well.
Ms BURNET – Okay, thank you. This is something I have discussed with you and it’s something that I have discussed previously with the Education minister – but anti‑racism education in schools, we know that there are some terrible situations in schools in relation to racist attacks. What plans does the government currently have to roll out anti‑racism education in schools to build empathy, understanding and inclusion, and, are you talking to Ms Palmer about that?
Ms OGILVIE – Thank you. I just don’t think I have specifically spoken with Ms Palmer about what Education does. I’m not sure if it’s a curriculum issue or if it’s a project into schools issue, but I’ll just seek some advice.
The information I’m getting – I have a little update. In the action plan, DECYP have a plan in that for racial inclusion –
Ms BURNET – That’s not anti‑racism, though.
Ms OGILVIE – I think that’s what we’re calling the program. The second part was the mechanism for engagement between my office and Ms Palmer’s office on this topic is through the Ministerial Council. DECYP will be on that council and that’s where that discussion will be had.
The long and the short answer is, we haven’t done it yet, but it is in line of sight.
