Support workers in the criminal justice system

Helping your client tell their story to the court. The important role of support workers in the criminal justice system.

In this episode we speak to a Legal Aid NSW Criminal lawyer and 3 support workers helping women, young people and people with cognitive impairment in the criminal justice system. We learn about their tips about ways to provide support to achieve the best court outcome for clients.

Referrals and more information:

• Legal Aid NSW – Court, Police and Crime Publications
• Legal Aid NSW – Find a local office and advice service
• Legal Aid NSW – Help at Court - Duty lawyers
• Legal Aid NSW - Children’s Legal Service and Youth Hotline
• Rosa Coordinated Care (ROCC) – support service for women returning to live in the Shoalhaven after being in custody or rehabilitation
• Shopfront Youth Legal Centre – legal factsheets for young people and youth workers
• IDRS - Justice Advocacy Service
• Justice Advocacy Service Law for Community Workers webinar – December 2020
• NSW Justice – So you have to go to Court! resource kit for people with cognitive impairment
• Legal Aid NSW - Law Check-Up – tool for helping your clients identify their legal problems

The Refugee Service answers community worker’s COVID-19 legal questions

In this episode, we speak to Christina Alkhamisi, Civil Solicitor, who answers some frequently asked questions from Community Worker who work with Refugee communities on the COVID-19 changes. She provides us with a clear summary of Public Health Order fines, Centrelink and Immigration changes, and information about where to get more information and help for your clients.

Referrals and more information

• LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529 or visit
• Legal Aid NSW Refugee Service 87136725 or visit https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/civil-law/refugee-service
• Visit the Legal Aid NSWwebsite to find a local advice service.
• For more information on Work and Development orders, please visit the Legal Aid website at https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/factsheets-and-resources/covid-19/covid-19-public-health-orders-what-do-i-need-to-know
• For more information on COVID changes, please visit the LawAccess website at https://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/Pages/news-articles/covid19.aspx
• For more information on Centrelink changes please see Legal Aid’s ‘Centrelink in the Time of COVID-19 Podcast’ or visit the Centrelink website.
• Centrelink’s dedicated COVID-19 page — this website is being regularly updated.
• If you need an interpreter, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

For community members! The Refugee Service answers your COVID-19 legal questions

In this episode, specifically targeted at refugees, we speak to Christina Alkhamisi, Civil Solicitor, who answers some frequently asked questions from people have contacted the Legal Aid Refugee Service on the COVID-19 changes. She provides us with a clear summary of Public Health Order fines, Centrelink and Immigration changes, and information about where to get help.

 Referrals and more information

• LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529 or visit
• Legal Aid NSW Refugee Service 87136725 or visit https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/civil-law/refugee-service
• Visit the Legal Aid NSWwebsite to find a local advice service.
• For more information on Work and Development orders, please visit the Legal Aid website at https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/factsheets-and-resources/covid-19/covid-19-public-health-orders-what-do-i-need-to-know
• For more information on COVID changes, please visit the LawAccess website at https://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/Pages/news-articles/covid19.aspx
• For more information on Centrelink changes please see Legal Aid’s ‘Centrelink in the Time of COVID-19 Podcast’ or visit the Centrelink website.
• Centrelink’s dedicated COVID-19 page — this website is being regularly updated.
• If you need an interpreter, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

STOP public threats

This is important information for people who are likely to be the victim of a public threat or witness a public threat. Listen and find out more about what we can all do to stop public threats.

In this episode we find out about the Stop Public Threats campaign launch by the NSW Attorney General on 25 May 2020. The campaign will educate the community about Section 93Z of the Crimes Act. This section makes it an offence to threaten or incite violence against another person or a group of persons because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status or HIV/AIDS status.

Referrals and more information

Report an incident:

• When it is happening: Call Triple Zero 000
• At other times: Call the Police Assistance Line 131 444

• Visit the website: stoppublicthreats.legalaid.nsw.gov.au
• Request a workshop on the topic 
• LawAccess website
• LawAccess legal information line: 1300 88 529

A day in the life of the Work and Development Order Program – tackling fines debt in NSW

Tell us what you really think of our podcasts - help us keep this resource going!

This episode was recorded in November and December 2019.  The statistics quoted by some of the people interviewed relate to that time.

In May 2020 there is approximately $850 million of fines debt in NSW and the WDO Program sponsors have assisted people to clear over $200 million of fines debt since it started in 2011.

 Links and referrals

• Legal Aid NSW – Work and Development Order Service web page
• Legal Aid NSW – Work and Development Order Service publications – search under Money, Debt & Fines
• Revenue NSW – Work and Development Order Guidelines
• Revenue NSW – Become a Work and Development Order Sponsor
• Revenue NSW – Find a Work and Development Order Sponsor
• Revenue NSW Advocacy Hotline – Become an Advocate to speak to Revenue NSW about your client’s fines
• Revenue NSW WDO Hotline – 1300 478 879
• Legal Aid NSW Youtube Channel – Fines and WDOs Playlist
• Legal Aid NSW Law for Community Workers on the go podcast about the WDO Service
• Law Check-Up – help your client to find out what legal problems they have, including fines

This episode was produced by Audiocraft's Nicole Curby

Law Week Special - Where to find legal info and support during COVID-19

For Law Week 2020, Legal Aid NSW wants everyone in NSW to have access to the legal information they need in these challenging times. In this special Law Week episode, we talk to Kerry Wright about the best places to find legal information whether you have a COVID-19 related legal issue or a more general legal issue.

In this episode we discuss:

• Legal Aid NSW legal resources
• Find Legal Answers website
• Law Access website
• Law Access legal information line: 1300 888 529
• Legal Aid NSW Youtube channel

Taking a toll – dealing with toll road debt

Do you have clients who have debts from travelling on toll roads? Listen to this podcast to find out about programs that can help and how Legal Aid NSW lawyers have helped turn people’s lives around by helping them with their tolls debt.

COVID-19 update. Toll debts are not being actively pursued by Transurban at this time. Are you a disability support worker or health worker? Listen to find out how you can get 3 months toll credit.

 Referrals and more information

• Help with tolls during COVID-19
• Transurban Linkt Assist information for community workers helping clients with tolling debt
• Contact the Linkt Assist dedicated line for the community sector 1300 110 129
• Video for community workers on helping clients with tolling debt
• https://tollingombudsman.com.au/
• Linkt Assist help for bushfire victims
• The Financial Rights Legal
• Latest Alert for community workers
• Call LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529
• Visit the Legal Aid NSW website

Centrelink in the time of COVID-19

We speak to Nicola Cannon Senior solicitor, Social Security, about the COVID-19 measures that have been introduced by Centrelink.  She provides us with a clear summary of the changes, helpful and information about where to get help.

As the situation evolves, we will be speaking to Nicola again, so please subscribe to Law for Community Workers on the go to stay informed.

Referrals and more information

LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529

Contact Legal Aid NSW  to speak to a lawyer. Please check www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au for updates about availability of legal advice.

Centrelink’s dedicated COVID-19 page — this website is being regularly updated.

How to register your intention to claim a Centrelink payment - coronavirus (COVID-19)

 More information and a full list of eligible Centrelink payments

Guardian guide to applying for Jobseeker payment

Subscribe to our Alerts for community and health workers to stay up-to-date

 Look after yourself

We want this to be a safe space for listeners. If you need support, there are services that can help:

• Beyond Blue -1300 224 636
• Lifeline -13 11 14

Time stamps

02.30 —Summary of the changes — Coronavirus supplement payment

04.49 — Changes that are already active — asset testing, newly arrived resident waiting period, ordinary waiting periods, seasonal workers and additional documents

07.35 — Economic support payments

08.21 — date update regarding economic support payments

11.10 — Already receiving a payment?

11.40 — Jobseeker payment definition

16.30 — Other types of payments — carers, students and families

20.50 — Contacting Centrelink on behalf of your client

23.15 — Wanting to receive a Centrelink payment?

27.58 — Payment and service finder website — other immediate support

28.40— How Legal Aid NSW and other organisations can help

Trailer - Legal Aid NSW Podcast series: What we stand for

Trailer for the Legal Aid NSW Podcast series: What we stand for.

Over the past 40 years (1979 – 2019) Legal Aid and its staff have made an incredible contribution to the administration of justice and the lives of the most vulnerable people in NSW.

We are celebrating the diversity and depth of talent within our organisation through a series of staff video interview, podcasts and staff profiles.

Listen to What we stand for

Watch the videos

More information

Referrals and more information

• Visit the Legal Aid NSW website to find a local advice service.
• Call LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529

To contact the CLE team with feedback or a topic suggestion please send us an email cle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au

Do you want to know more about your rights at work in the time of COVID-19?

In this first of our ‘COVID-19’ special episodes, we talk to Alex Yiannikas from Employment Law team about the rights for casual and permanent employees in these unprecedented times.

The podcast audio is taken from a live webinar we recorded on 18 March 2020 and answers questions from our Community Worker audience.

As the situation evolves, we will be talking to our employment lawyers again to keep you updated, so subscribe to Law for Community Workers on the go to stay informed.

Referrals and more information

Free legal help

LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529

Legal Aid NSW

Legal Aid NSW - 02 9219 5000 to check eligibility for free legal advice about rights at work. Please check www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au for updates about availability of legal advice.

Migrants and temporary visa holders in NSW can call the Migrant Employment Legal Service on 02 8002 1203 – www.mels.org.au

Publications

Your workplace rights during a disaster

Order FREE Publications

Fair Work Ombudsman 13 13 94

Information about workplace entitlements and obligations for people affected by the outbreak of coronavirus.

Further information

SafeWork NSW has information about Coronavirus and your workplace -

For enquiries about Workers Compensation, contact the Workers Compensation Independent Review Office on 13 9476

Unions NSW

ABC Radio National program — not enough sick leave?

Centrelink

Look after yourself

We want this to be a safe space for listeners. If you need support there are services that can help:

• Beyond Blue -1300 224 636
• Lifeline -13 11 14