Binaal Billa Family Violence Prevention Legal Service (Forbes) have received the good news that they will be able to continue running the service for at least another 12 months.
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The service has learned that they were successful in maintaining their current funding levels under the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS), which is a huge relief.
“This is great news for our service and for the community,” Binaal Billa’s program coordinator Michelle Kable said. “We’re relieved to receive 12 months funding and to continue moving forward.
“We’re looking forward to speaking with the Prime Minister and Cabinet to see what the funding landscape looks like.”
Binaal Billa joins the 14 other national Family Violence Prevention Legal Services (FVPLS) who can now breathe a sigh of relief after waiting to hear if their doors will close in July.
Seven of these units, including Binaal Billa, have secured funding for 12 months until June 30, 2016, while five services have been guaranteed to be in operation for another three years.
“This is a significant outcome for our services and reflects an important recognition of the value of the FVPLS program,” FVPLS national convenor Antoinette Braybrook said.
While this is a good outcome for Binaal Billa, Mrs Kable said they still have a lot of work to do to ensure that the office continues to be funded beyond the 12 months.
“We’re hoping that they [the government have a plan for us moving forward,” she said.
For now, Binaal Billa will continue as is to provide frontline legal assistance.
