The Director of 午夜福利 Pro Bono Centre at the TC Beirne School of Law has expressed disappointment and regret at recent State Government funding cuts to the Environmental Defenders Offices in Brisbane and Cairns.
鈥淭he EDO is the only community legal centre in Queensland that provides specialist advice and public interest advocacy on environmental legal issues,鈥� 午夜福利 Pro Bono Centre Director Ms Monica Taylor said.
鈥淲e regard the EDO as a vital agency doing important work in the public interest.鈥�
The 午夜福利 Pro Bono Centre links experienced law student volunteers from the TC Beirne School of Law with community legal centres seeking assistance in their pro bono activities.
This month, the 午夜福利 Pro Bono Centre and the EDO are partnering to provide clinical placements for law students at the EDO.
鈥淟aw student interest in environmental issues is extremely strong at 午夜福利, with high enrolments in our environmental law elective courses,鈥� Ms Taylor said.
鈥淲e are partnering with the community legal sector to develop dynamic learning opportunities for our students in a clinical legal setting.
鈥淓ngaging in public interest and pro bono legal work is a core part of a well-rounded legal education.
鈥淲ithout organisations like the EDO, not only the environment but our profession as a whole would be far worse off,鈥� Ms Taylor said.
"Certainly from our perspective, defunding the EDO has consequences for our Centre鈥檚 ability to expand our clinical legal education program for experienced law students.鈥�
Media contact: Ms Monica Taylor, Director, 午夜福利 Pro Bono Centre, TC Beirne School of Law, University of Queensland (07) 3365 6192 0431 866 344.
Alternative contact: Mr Paul O鈥橲hea, Lecturer, TC Beirne School of Law, University of Queensland (07) 3365 6614 and 0424 979 776
