Law reform & policy work

The Illawarra Legal Centre undertakes policy and law reform work as part of an integrated service delivery strategy involving the advice, casework and legal education activities of the Centre. The Centre seeks to act in the best interests of its clients and this means at times seeking to change government policy. We do this from an access to justice platform, not a party political one. The Centre also seeks to produce systemic outcomes through its legal practice work by conducting precedent-setting litigation.

Policy and law reform activities are undertaken by the Centre as part of a broad network of consumer, community, legal aid, welfare and other organisations operating within NSW and nationally. In developing and implementing policy and law reform initiatives, the Centre seeks, as far as possible, to draw on the experience and views of other relevant consumer and community groups and in particular, the communities they serve.

Much of the work undertaken by the Centre in this area is in relation to responding to Government inquiries and calls for submissions on areas of law and policy directly relating to our clients.

Law reform activities include projects that:

Analyse the impact of the law on our community, particularly groups who experience social and economic disadvantage.

Draw to the attention of government and other relevant institutions, as well as the broader community, any injustices within the law.

Recommend changes to the law and its operation, based on our experiences within our community.

Areas of law reform & policy work:

2009

Residential Tenancies Bill 2009

The Tenants Service tendered a submission to Fair Trading on the draft bill. We commented on a number of clauses in the bill with a particular focus on the access and termination provisions.

Housing NSW rent arrears policy

The Centre commissioned an independent report into Housing NSW' rent arrears policy after it became clear that tenants who fell into even a small amount of arrears were being asked to pay three weeks rent every two weeks to catch up. This approach placed a great number of tenants in severe financial hardship.

Tenants were being told that '3 in 2' was policy and they were threatened with eviction in order to gain compliance. The independent report confirmed that the practice was widespread in southern NSW and many tenants came forward and told the researchers their stories.

The report was used to make a complaint to the NSW Ombudsman and it has been sent to the Housing Minister.

The Young People and Fines law reform project

The Young People and Fines law reform project is looking at the impact of government fines and is reviewing recent legislative changes to assist young people who have incurred significant fines that adversely impact on that persons future ability to gain a licence and work and study.

Ombudsman's Investigation Into Gaps in Centrelink Guidelines

The Illawarra Legal Centre’s Welfare Rights Service supported a client in making a complaint to the NSW Ombudsman about mistreatment by Centrelink investigators who came to her home. During the course of the Ombudsman's investigations into this complaint, the Ombudsman discovered that Centrelink did not have any guidelines on how to interview or work with clients living with a psychological disability.

The Ombudsman launched a further inquiry into this gap in Centrelink guidelines with a view to prompting Centrelink to immediately develop procedures for working with this particularly vulnerable group.

Please call the Illawarra Legal Centre on 42761939 if you have enquiries regarding Centrelink.

Feb 09

2008

Child on Child AVOs

Children with Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs) Against Another Young Person. Paper presented to the South Coast Youth Conference November 2008.

International Human Rights Day

The Illawarra Legal Centre Inc and local community workers marked International Human Rights Day on Monday 10th December by holding a human rights stall at the steps of the Wesley Church. Visitors to the human rights stall had the opportunity to send a post card to those who make or influence decision making in Australia and overseas to reinforce the idea that human rights must be at the forefront of all political actions. December 2008.

Federal Government’s 2020 Summit

Submissions emphasising the need for a holistic approach to health and community support services including long term funding were included in our submissions to the Federal Government’s 2020 Summit.

Interest rate increases

Interest rate increases and the resulting financial hardship for mortgages and tenants resulted in a series of media articles serving to inform and change laws around issues such as lending practices and tenancy protections. December 2007- January 2008.

100th anniversary of International Women’s Day

To help mark the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day the ILC participated in a review of women’s work and services and discussions on future service provision. March 2008.

Complaint to the Commonwealth Ombudsman

Complaint by the Welfare Rights Project to the Commonwealth Ombudsman about the conduct of Centrelink officers when interviewing people with psychological disabilities in their own homes. March 2008.

Green Paper on Homelessness

Submissions to the Federal Governments Green Paper on Homelessness were provided outlining key strategies to address homelessness and related social problems. June 2008.

Affordable Housing

ILC worker participated in consultations on homelessness, boarding house protections and legislative reform affecting tenants and residents of affordable housing. July-August-September 2008.

Anti Poverty Week 2008

During Anti Poverty Week 2008, ILC workers assisted Wollongong TAFE students write letters to relevant authorities about poverty, education and transport needs. Letter writers in the mall marked Anti Poverty Week by outlining the need for affordable housing, rising household debt and health care issues among other issues. October 2008

Community Development Employment Program (CDEP)

The funding cuts to the Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) resulted in an ILC submission to the Commonwealth Government’s CDEP review agency. October 2008.

Keelong Juvenile Justice Centre

Concerns about the hardship caused by the closure of Keelong Juvenile Justice Centre were summarised and distributed to key organisations and the local media. November 2008.

White Ribbon Day

The community campaign of White Ribbon Day working for the elimination of violence against women was promoted in the media and in local community stalls. November 2008.

2007

National Youth Commission Inquiry into Youth Homelessness

The ILC provided evidence at hearings and made submissions to the National Youth Commission Inquiry into Youth Homelessness May/June 2007.

Electoral Act

Changes to the Electoral Act that served to disenfranchise groups of voters inspired the ILC to undertake a comprehensive education and submission writing campaign. May/June 2007.

Anti-Poverty Week

Having your say during 2007’s Anti-Poverty Week was made easy as scribes recorded public concerns ready to send to relevant politicians, media and other decision makers. October 2007.