Aboriginal Credit and Debt Clinic
Project Report and Evaluation
In 2010, the Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH) and the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) piloted a new project: the Aboriginal Credit and Debt Clinic (ACDC).
The aims of the ACDC were to:
Between May and August 2010, one-day free legal clinics were held at community hubs in Shepparton, Ballarat, Morwell and Mildura. These clinics were staffed by pro bono lawyers from PILCH member firms and were supported by local services, together with PILCH and VALS staff.
PILCH has now completed a project report (attached) which evaluates the ACDC. The numerous case studies provided in the report provide a stark picture of financial hardship and serve to highlight the civil law needs of some Aboriginal people in rural and regional areas. Many clients presented with multiple debts which contributed to high levels of anxiety about housing, employment and the need to support children and other family. It was striking that a number of the people assisted by the ACDC were either homeless or insecurely housed.
Without doubt, the report demonstrates the significant need for funded civil law legal services for Aboriginal people in rural and regional Victoria.
PILCH is committed to continuing to advocate for funded civil law services in rural and regional areas. At the same time, we intend to continue to facilitate and promote the role of pro bono in providing direct legal services and advocating for change. We note that the report reveals the ACDC achieved its stated aims however improvements can be made to the service model. We hope to continue to work with partners in order to develop services which are culturally appropriate and valued by the communities.
PILCH welcomes any feedback or comment on this report. For further information about PILCH’s work on credit and debt issues in Aboriginal communities in rural and regional Victoria, contact: chris.povey@pilch.org.au or verena.tan@pilch.org.au