Between 2015 and 2019, the Robodebt scheme was responsible for raising Centrelink debts through an unlawful averaging process using Australian Taxation Office (ATO) income information. As a result of this, a Royal Commission was established in August 2022 tasked with looking at what happened and to come up with recommendations to ensure the same mistakes
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We’re excited to share the Victorian community legal sector’s 10-Year Plan, which was launched on 19 June. Building on 50 years of the community legal movement in Victoria, and developed by Victorian Community Legal Centres, collaborators, and the people and communities we work with, the Plan provides a roadmap for the sector to ensure meaningful
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We know that navigating the DSP system can be tricky and confusing. In this post, we focus on some of the ‘medical rules’ that apply to the DSP. There has been a recent change to these rules that occurred in April 2023. To help you understand this change and how it applies to the way
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Why did you decide to become a lawyer / barrister and what work were you doing previously? My origin story is unusual. Previous to law I was working in hospitality. Part owner/cook, Quattro Stagioni Café, Lorne Fish n Chips, and Apollo Pizzeria. At one time, I ran those three businesses along the coast, in
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Ending a relationship can be a challenging and emotional time for all concerned. Getting legal and financial advice early will help to reduce anxiety and give clear guidance about what to expect moving forward. What is a property settlement? When a couple separates, a family law property settlement directs how the assets of
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The breakdown of a marriage or de facto relationship can be a difficult and emotional time for everyone involved. In Australia, there are two legal processes: separation and divorce. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they actually have distinct legal meanings. Separation in Australia Separation happens when you and your partner stop living together
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Friday March 31, 2023 Despite an increase in family violence, legal services remain unfunded in Geelong Specialist Family Violence Court. Geelong is one of seven Magistrates’ Court jurisdictions to not have received funding to support victim-survivors and applicants attending the new Specialist Family Violence Court (SFVC). The objective of SFVCs is to improve the safety
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Children are entitled to financial support from both parents, even if the parents are separated, or the child was a result of a short-term relationship. The Child Support scheme is managed by Services Australia (Child Support), which was set up by the Commonwealth Government as a free system to assess how much child support should
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The Barwon Elder Abuse Primary Prevention (BEAPP) Network has reinvigorated the STREETFACE See Me, Respect Me campaign for Seniors Month. We have partnered with the City of Greater Geelong on our campaign, which seeks to humanise and make visible older people living in the Greater Geelong region and to challenge ageism as a key driver
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This year to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day the Barwon Elder Abuse Primary Prevention (BEAPP) Network has partnered with the City of Greater Geelong to launch the STREETFACE See Me, Respect Me campaign. Our campaign seeks to humanise and make visible older people living in the Greater Geelong region and to challenge ageism as
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Barwon Community Legal Service (BCLS) has collaborated with Diversitat to provide free information and support for the people of Geelong Afghan communities who have been devastated by the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. This program is funded from remaining Seeking Refuge Project funding obtained in 2016, and is supported by Bellarine for Refugees. The collapse of
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By Tamara Kotowicz Whether you are being protected by a Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) or if there is an application for a FVIO against you, the process can be overwhelming. We have detailed the most important things to know before you attend court. Important! During any level of COVID Restrictions you can leave home
Continue ReadingBarwon Community Legal Service acknowledges the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we learn and work, and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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