Human Rights Measure

An agreement was made between “the Commonwealth of Australia” and “the States of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory” to “support the delivery of efficient and effective legal assistance services (specifically, Legal Aid Commissions (LACs), Community Legal Centres (CLCs), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) and Family Violence Prevention Legal Services (FVPLS)) to respond to increased demand as a result of COVID-19.” An additional component of this agreement included “support[ing] LACs and CLCs transition to virtual service delivery as a result of COVID-19.” With respect to funding, the agreement contains the following provision: “[t]he Commonwealth will provide an estimated total financial contribution to the States of $58.966 million, exclusive of GST [Goods and Services Tax].”