Free Legal Advice for Royal Commission

Sky News
April 2, 2013

http://www.skynews.com.au/national/article.aspx?id=859942

Victims of clergy sex abuse will be given free legal advice to help them participate in the royal commission, which starts in Melbourne on Wednesday.

During the commission's first sitting, chairman Justice Peter McClellan will outline how the national body will operate and counsel assisting the commission Gail Furness, SC, will make an opening statement.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus says the free legal service will provide victims with advice 'a bit like a duty lawyer'.

'It's going to be there to provide people with legal and procedural advice on important issues,' he told ABC Radio on Wednesday, citing examples such as how they go about preparing a submission, how they give evidence and what ways they can participate in the hearings.

The legal service would not only advise them how to engage with the royal commission, but would advise on civil and criminal options, Mr Dreyfus said.

The free advice will come from the National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC), whose chairman Michael Smith said people needed access to legal advice independent of the commission to help them feel safe in telling their stories.

'Expertise in assisting victims of sexual assault and people who have experienced trauma is vital,' Mr Smith said.

It was important victims understood legal issues that may affect them and whether or not they could pursue other avenues of recourse.

Nicky Davis, from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said free legal advice should also be available to whistleblowers and witnesses.

No evidence will be tendered at Wednesday's first sitting of the commission.

Justice McClellan has previously said it will be some time before any public hearings are held.

Newly passed laws will enable the commission to take evidence and information during private hearings.

The commission is expected to provide an interim report by the end of June 2014. The free legal advice will be made available via a national telephone service, while face-to-face services would be offered in selected locations.

The government said contact details would be advertised nationally in coming weeks.

A joint statement from Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Mr Dreyfus and Families and Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin, said Wednesday's commission hearings would 'mark the start of a healing process for survivors and their families'.

'The royal commission will enable thousands of Australians who suffered as children to recount their experiences and express feelings that many carry to this day as a result of the harm caused to them,' the statement said.