THE Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre faces a difficult battle to secure funds to allow it to continue its family violence legal services.
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Grant applications opened on Monday for the Community Legal Centre Assistance Fund and the Family Violence Duty Lawyer Fund. The grants will each deliver up to $50,000 to each centre annually.
Speaking at the Kyneton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, Victorian Attorney-General Martin Pakula said there was no guarantee of funds through those grants for LCCLC.
"There are [community legal centres] right across the state. All of them are worthy; all of them are in need of funds so the grant application process will be very competitive," he said.
Mr Pakula said community legal centres would always be left wanting for funds.
"There will always be more demand than there is money available," he said.
Mr Paluka put the blame for the funding shortfall on the federal government's decision to scale back legal services funding.
"All of the state governments would love to be able to replace every dollar that's pulled out by the Commonwealth but we're simply not in a position to do that but we do what we can," he said.
While in Kyneton, Mr Paluka received a tour of the town's courthouse. Concerns have been raised in recent months about the level of security in the historic building.
Mr Pakula acknowledged the difficulties of hearing family violence matters in Kyneton and similar courthouses.
He said video technology could be the answer.
"It shouldn't be beyond us with technology to create a situation where people don't have to be in the same physical location as people who have abused them," he said.
Centre for Non-Violence chief executive Margaret Augerinos said Kyneton court house was representative of other court facilities in central Victoria.
"It isn't good as any sort of court venue, let alone one for family violence cases. There are no safe spaces and there are limited places for solicitors to talk to their clients," she said.
A audit of safety in the state's courts is due to be completed by the end of the year.