Federal Labor removes gag on legal aid centres that banned political advocacy

The gag, introduced by the Abbott government in 2014, prevented legal aid centres at the coalface of social issues including welfare, family violence, housing and consumer law from seeking law reform, including specialist domestic violence and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services.

Under changes to the 2020-25 national legal assistance partnership, agreed with states and territories, the government has also cut reporting requirements, including time accounting for each matter supported by federal funding.

Community legal centres have welcomed the investment but insist more will be needed in future budgets to deal with overwhelming community need.