paul mallett advocates strongly for increase state support for Community Legal Centres and Legal Aid to expand capacity and reach. paul calls for immediate and sustained increases in funding in Tasmania for family violence, housing, debt, child protection, and Indigenous legal services

paul believes access to justice is a basic right — but for too many Tasmanians, it remains out of reach. Low-income individuals, families in crisis, victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, people with disability, Aboriginal Tasmanians, and those living in rural and remote communities face serious barriers when they need legal help.

paul believes justice should not depend on where you live or how much money you have. A fair Tasmania is one where every person — especially our most vulnerable — can get help when they need it, stand up for their rights, and resolve problems before they become crises. Investing in access to justice is smart, fair, and vital for a safer, healthier Tasmania.

Current Context

paul notes that Community Legal Centres (CLCs) and Legal Aid Commission services do exceptional work — but they are stretched to the limit. Rising demand, complex cases, and limited funding mean waiting lists grow, outreach shrinks, and vulnerable people fall through the cracks.

Based on his three decades of work in the human and community services, paul knows when people can’t get timely, affordable legal help:

• Families can lose their homes.
• Victims remain trapped with perpetrators.
• Debts spiral.
• Employment and safety nets are put at risk.
• Small disputes escalate into bigger crises, costing more to resolve.

paul believes access to justice isn’t just a legal issue — it’s a community wellbeing issue. When people get fair, early legal help, they avoid crisis. Communities are safer, healthier, and more stable. Public costs in health, housing, policing, and welfare go down. Strong legal help upfront protects rights, resolves conflict, and saves taxpayer dollars later

Call to Action

paul calls on State and Federal Governments to:

Boost Funding for Community Legal Services

• Increase state support for Community Legal Centres and Legal Aid to expand capacity and reach.
• Prioritise funding for family violence, housing, debt, child protection, and Aboriginal legal services.

Take Justice to the People

• Fund more outreach and mobile legal clinics in rural and remote areas.
• Embed legal help in community hubs, neighbourhood houses, schools, health clinics and family centres — so people can get help where they already go.

Expand Early Intervention

• Invest in legal education and early advice to help people resolve issues before they reach court.
• Support free online tools and phone helplines for basic advice and referrals.

Make the System Fairer and Simpler

• Fund interpreters, disability access services, and culturally safe legal pathways.
• Support diversion programs and restorative justice options to resolve issues out of court when appropriate.

Work Together

• Develop a cross-government Justice Access Strategy — linking legal help to health, housing, family support, and other services.
• Partner with local councils, Aboriginal communities and grassroots organisations to co-design place-based solutions.