This episode is part of a series that looks at online legal help tools. In this episode Josh from the Community Legal Education Branch takes you into the world of how a new online tool, Fine Fixer NSW, can help you or your clients if you get a fine. We interview Brendan Lacota (former principal solicitor at Moonee Valley Legal Service and now a consultant) who was one of the key people behind the creation of the tool, and Kirsty Harrison (Senior Solicitor) and Nicole Stack (Paralegal) from Legal Aid NSW who were both key in bringing the tool to NSW from Victoria.

Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in the episode:

Fine Fixer NSW

Work and Development Order Service at Legal Aid NSW – contact 1300 888 529 or [email protected]

Revenue NSW – Call the WDO Hotline number on 1300 478 879 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

Law Check-up – a tool to help you identify legal issues and refer your client for help

You can listen to another episode in this series (or search for it where you listen to podcasts) here:

Episode 1: Does technology have a place in legal services? Let’s find out

Episode 3: Simple, smart separation - how amica can help

Editing by Tiffany Dimmack from Audiocraft

Please send questions, comments, and feedback to: [email protected]

This episode was recorded on 12 August 2021. The information was current at that time in accordance with the public health orders in place to manage the COVID-19 situation in NSW. At the time of publishing, it is a reasonable excuse to leave your home if you need to continue existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children.  You can keep up to date with the changing rules around reasonable excuses using these links:

Greater Sydney restrictions | NSW Government

Regional and rural restrictions | NSW Government

We speak to Joshua Mestroni, a family lawyer with the South West Sydney Legal Centre. Joshua answers questions about how to manage shared parenting arrangements during the current COVID-19 public health order restrictions, particularly in Greater Sydney.  The links below are for the organisations and resources mentioned during the conversation.

Free legal help from South West Sydney Legal Centre go to our website for all contact details - www.swslc.org.au

online referral form for community workers only – https://www.swslc.org.au/online-referral/

email address – [email protected]

For free legal help and referrals to family lawyers in other parts of Sydney and across the whole of NSW, call the Legal Aid NSW Family Law Early Intervention Unit on 1800 551 589

Federal Circuit Court National COVID 19 list - The Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia have each established a court list dedicated to dealing exclusively with urgent family law disputes that have arisen as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Go to http://www.federalcircuitcourt.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/fccweb/about/covid/covid-list/national-covid-list

Legal Aid NSW COVID-19 legal factsheets for families, relationships and children - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/get-legal-help/covid-19

NSW Health COVID-19 factsheets - https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/isolation-guidelines.aspx

NSW Health Aboriginal Health COVID-19 resources - https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/aboriginal-resources.aspx

Look after yourself - Family Relationships Online - https://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/covid-19

To keep up-to-date, subscribe to the Legal Aid NSW Law for Community Workers Alert newsletter.

 

Edited by Tiffany Dimmack from Audiocraft

In this episode we speak with Jane Sanders, Principal Solicitor, The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre about what young drivers need to know about traffic law and how to deal with things that can take them off the road like fines, licence suspensions and licence disqualifications. Jane also gives her top tips for going to Court and dealing with the Police if pulled over. Below are timestamps for some of the key messages and links to resources talked about in the episode.

2:30       Information about The Shopfront and who they help

10:15    Which Court is my traffic matter heard in?

12:15    Traffic fines

14:00    Licence suspensions

19:15    Licence disqualifications

24:30    Going to Court for your traffic matter

29:15    Police Powers

The Shopfront – Factsheets about Traffic law

1 – Getting a driver licence in NSW

3 – Driving without a licence

4 – Licence suspensions and appeals

7 – Serious traffic offences and courts

Free legal help - Traffic Offences

The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre - https://www.theshopfront.org/

Marrickville Legal Centre Youth Legal Service – Ask NALA – Traffic offences - https://www.mlc.org.au/services/youth/

Legal Aid NSW traffic offences guided pathway - https://traffic.guidedpathways.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/

Legal Aid NSW traffic publications – use hyperlink Driving: penalties, licences and insurance - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/factsheets-and-resources

LawAccess NSW – Applying to remove your driver licence disqualification step by step guide - https://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/Pages/representing/driving_offences_and_crime/driving_and_crime_after_court/SBSG_rem_d_disq.aspx

A second chance for Disqualified Drivers webinar – recorded Feb 2021 -  https://youtu.be/YEAGoeA6pi4

Fines and Work & Development Orders

Transport for NSW - Demerit points, penalties and offences on NSW roads - https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/roads/demerits-offences/index.html

Finefixer NSW guided pathway – https://nsw.finefixer.org.au/

Revenue NSW - Request a review of your fine - https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/fines-and-fees/request-a-review

Nominate another driver if you weren’t responsible for the offence - https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/fines-and-fees/nominate-someone-else

Legal Aid NSW Work and Development Order Service - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/civil-law/work-and-development-order-service

Police Powers and Young People

Legal Aid NSW Street Smart publication - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/factsheets-and-resources/get-street-smart-under-18s-know-your-legal-rights

Youth Hotline – 1800 10 18 10 - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/criminal-law/youth-hotline

To organise a Legal Aid NSW Police Powers workshop at your service use this Request a Talk form - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/workshops/request-a-talk

Traffic offender intervention programs - https://localcourt.nsw.gov.au/local-court/sentencing--orders-and-appeals/sentencing-in-criminal-cases/traffic-offender-intervention-program.html

Legal Aid NSW Legal information for young people videos (created 2021). Available in English, Arabic, Dari and Swahili with or without captions- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLApA5ctFL2pWuf1BhCRAVU0Rje7oZvOTe

Editing by Tiffany Dimmack from Audiocraft

In this episode we talk to Jaye and Kristie from the Domestic Violence Strategy team at the Department of Communities and Justice about the work that they’re doing with men who use violence. We also hear from Raissa Butkowski, a solicitor with Hume Riverina Community Legal Service.

Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in this episode:

 

Got an AVO? How to stick to your order - Legal Aid NSW – you can order a copy of this as a brochure by going to the Legal Aid NSW publications website here: Factsheets and resources - Legal Aid NSW

You can also look at a series of animations here  that has been created by the Cooperative Legal Services Delivery Program about How to Stick to Your Order - YouTube

We also wanted to link you to the Premiers Priority to Reduce DV Reoffending, the ENGAGE program and AVOW app in show notes, and give you some useful contact details: 

 

The Men’s Telephone Counselling and Referral Service is a toll-free number available across NSW, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is staffed by trained counsellors who support male callers to take responsibility for their abusive behaviour and end the violence against their family and refers callers to men’s behaviour change programs or other service providers for longer-term support. You can visit their website here. 

Phone : 1300 766 491

 

MensLine Australia is the national telephone support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. MensLine Australia can also provide referrals to face-to-face counselling and support services.

Phone: 1300 78 99 78

 

Brother to Brother is a 24-hour crisis line for Aboriginal men staffed by Aboriginal men. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Phone: 1800 435 799

 

Editing by Tiffany Dimmack from Audiocraft.

 

Please send questions, comments and feedback to: [email protected]

This is the first episode of a two part series where we talk about how men who use violence can be supported and challenged to change their behaviour and when they are more likely to stick to an Apprehended Violence Order.

 

We see men who use violence changing their behaviour as an important part of reducing domestic violence.

 

In this episode we talk to Jacqui (CEO) and Mike (counsellor) from No to Violence, an organisation that seeks to end male violence.

 

Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in this episode:

 

Got an AVO? How to stick to your order - Legal Aid NSW – you can order a copy of this as a brochure by going to the Legal Aid NSW publications website here: Factsheets and resources - Legal Aid NSW

You can also look at a series of animations here  that has been created by the Cooperative Legal Services Delivery Program about How to Stick to Your Order - YouTube

We also wanted to link you to the Premiers Priority to Reduce DV Reoffending, the ENGAGE program and AVOW app in show notes, and give you some useful contact details: 

 

The Men’s Telephone Counselling and Referral Service is a toll-free number available across NSW, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is staffed by trained counsellors who support male callers to take responsibility for their abusive behaviour and end the violence against their family and refers callers to men’s behaviour change programs or other service providers for longer-term support. You can visit their website here. 

Phone : 1300 766 491

 

MensLine Australia is the national telephone support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. MensLine Australia can also provide referrals to face-to-face counselling and support services.

Phone: 1300 78 99 78

 

Brother to Brother is a 24-hour crisis line for Aboriginal men staffed by Aboriginal men. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Phone: 1800 435 799

 

Editing by Tiffany Dimmack from Audiocraft.

 

Please send questions, comments and feedback to: [email protected]

‘Hard conversations’ is a 6-part podcast series exploring the complexity of elder abuse.

This final episode features Dr Kay Patterson AO – the federal age discrimination commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).  In this informative and engaging interview, Dr Patterson talks with Mary Lovelock, who is the solicitor in charge of the Legal Aid NSW Central Coast Elder Abuse Service.  They talk about ageism, how it contributes to elder abuse, and the work of the AHRC to raise awareness about elder abuse.

In this series, you hear from lots of different people about their understanding of elder abuse, the ways they think about it in their communities and how we can start to address it together.

There is no one right answer, but there are lots of things we can do to help people who may be experiencing or are at risk of elder abuse. Dr Patterson says that it takes a whole community to keep their eyes open to prevent elder abuse - starting with an awareness of the signs of elder abuse, and to know where people can get help.

This series has been made in partnership with the Legal Aid NSW Central Coast Elder Abuse Service, and the Central Coast Community Legal Centre. 

Previous episodes of hard conversations:

Ep1: Talking about elder abuse

Ep2: Working with first nations communities

Ep3: Working with CALD communities

Ep4: Engaging with diverse communities

Ep5: Rural and regional communities

Referrals and more information

These links are mentioned by Dr Patterson in this podcast. For other links and services see the podcast notes for the previous episodes of ‘Hard Conversations’ in the list above.

National Elder Abuse phone line – 1800ELDERHelp or 1800 353 374

Legal Aid NSW 1300 888 529

Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline (NSW) - 1800 628 221

Australian Human Rights Commission - Age Discrimination

Australian Human Rights Commission elder abuse projects

AHRC Elder abuse awareness campaign including video ‘Elder abuse - know the signs’

AHRC Bookmark - elder abuse signs

You decide Who decides – or download from publicadvocate.vic.gov.au/your-rights/enduring-power-of-attorney/planning-ahead

Compass- Guiding action on elder abuse -resources and support

OPAN (Older Persons Advocacy Network) – 1800 700 600

E safety Commissioner

Relationships Australia- Elder abuse support and mediation service  1300 364 277

Elder Abuse Action Australia

NSW Ageing and Disability Commission- tools and resources

Australian Law Reform Commission: Elder Abuse — A National Legal Response and Recommendations | ALRC

Council of Attorney General: National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians

Federal Attorney General-Protecting the Rights of Older Australians

National Australian Research Institute elder abuse resources and research

Video - Margarita - OPAL Institute

Australian Institute of Family Studies Elder Abuse reports

gov.au/projects/national-elder-abuse-prevalence-study

gov.au/publications/elder-abuse-national-research

Lifeline   131114   Beyond Blue  1300 22 4636

Music by Gambirra.

Editing by Tiffany Dimmack from Audiocraft.

Please send questions, comments and feedback to: [email protected].

In this episode we talk to Sifa Mtango, Senior Solicitor from the Your Story Disability Legal Support Service about how they are helping people with disability, their families, carers and support workers to tell their stories to the Disability Royal Commission.

The exciting news is that the Disability Royal Commission has been extended until September 2023, so there is time to get in touch with Your Story and find out the best way to make your submission 

Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in this episode:

Your Story Disability Legal Support Service - https://yourstorydisabilitylegal.org.au/Home

Phone 1800 77 1800 or use the National Relay Service to make a call-https://nrschat.nrscall.gov.au/nrs/internetrelay

Email: [email protected]

Recorded webinars and videos to explain more about Your Story Disability Legal Support available in this Legal Aid NSW YouTube playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLApA5ctFL2pXf6BbSQVTM3pP7lg4cdW6l

First Peoples Disability Network Australia - https://fpdn.org.au/disability-royal-commission/

Disability Royal Commission ‘Respectful Listening’ animation for First Nations People - https://youtu.be/_D_4-CBsLig

Disability Royal Commission - https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/

Free call: 1800 517 199

Email: [email protected]

Find out about the new law to protect confidential information of Royal Commission participants:

https://yourstorydisabilitylegal.org.au/Listings/Events-and-News/Latest-news/Media-Release-privacy-protections-for-Royal-Commission

In this episode we speak to Marrickville Legal Centre in Sydney about their new chatbot called NALA and Legal Aid NSW about their new traffic offences guided pathway. Both are integrating these new online tools into their client intake processes. We hear why they developed their tools, which clients will benefit and how.

Timestamps:

Interview with Marrickville Legal Centre starts at 1:57 mins

Interview with Legal Aid NSW starts at 19:44 mins

Use links below to find out more about information discussed in this episode.

Marrickville Legal Centre – click on the chat box on their home page – www.mlc.org.au

Legal Aid NSW Traffic Offences guided pathway - https://traffic.guidedpathways.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/

Legal Aid NSW FineFixer NSW guided pathway – https://nsw.finefixer.org.au/

Financial Rights Legal Centre Motor Vehicle Accidents Problem Solver guided pathway - https://mva.financialrights.org.au/

LawAccess NSW – Do you have a legal problem in NSW web page? With all 9 NSW guided pathways - https://legalhelp.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/

To speak to a human for free legal information and referrals contact LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529, Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm or use their live chat function on their web home page - https://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/

 

You can listen to the other episodes in this technology series:

Episode 2 – FineFixer NSW 

Episode 3: Simple, smart separation - How amica can help (podbean.com)

In this episode you will hear from Callum Hair a lawyer from the Mental Health Advocacy Service at Legal Aid NSW and Dr Jean Hollis a psychiatrist and Tribunal member at the NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal.

The episode explores mental illness and what process people go through at the Mental Health Review Tribunal (“MHRT”). You’ll also hear about Legal Aid NSW’s Mental Health Advocacy Service (“MHAS”) and when it is appropriate to refer clients to them.

This episode is a longer one so here are some time stamps that can help you navigate the episode:

From 1.16 hear Callum describe what Legal Aid NSW’s MHAS does and also what they don’t do, hear about the legal definition of a ‘mental illness’,  the process that someone goes through before they appear at a Mental Health Review Tribunal hearing, and get some insights into what a MHAS lawyer will do for their client and why the work is so important.

From 17.21 hear Dr Hollis talk about how the MHRT makes decisions, Callum also talks about the different orders the MHRT can make

From 21.34 hear Dr Hollis talk about some of the most common mental illnesses that the MHRT sees, discusses how mental illness and drug and alcohol interact, gives some information about the role of genetics and environment in mental illness, what we don’t know about mental illness and  the symptoms that some people experience.

From 33.21 hear Dr Hollis talk about some of the treatments available for mental illnesses including electro convulsive therapy

Please contact Law Access NSW on 1300 888 529 if you would like more information about the work MHAS does or would like a referral to them.    

You can visit the Mental Health Review Tribunal website here: Mental Health Review Tribunal - The Tribunal (nsw.gov.au) and there is a video that helps explain what happens at a hearing here: Mental Health Review Tribunal - The Tribunal Process - Short Films (nsw.gov.au)

Here is a link to Mental Health First Aid Australia’s website: Homepage | Mental Health First Aid (mhfa.com.au)

Lifeline Australia offers a range of training programs based on the development of mental health awareness and skills. See more here: Workplace Training - Lifeline Australia People can also call Lifeline’s crisis support line on 13 11 14 if they or someone they’re working with needs confidential short-term support because they are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe.

For general information about your legal rights you can find information here: Welcome to LawAccess NSW

The Department of Communities and Justice capacity toolkit is a useful resource if you are trying to assess whether someone you’re working with has capacity. You can find that here: Capacity Toolkit (nsw.gov.au)

Please note that some of the information in this episode may be different due to the impact of COVID – 19. For example, while solicitors are now able to go back to most facilities to obtain instructions, this is only a recent development. It may also be subject to change at short notice. Also, the time frame for mental health inquiries has been extended because of COVID-19.

In this episode we speak to Sally Dews, a Conciliation Officer with Anti-Discrimination NSW. Sally talks about the types of unlawful discrimination that people can complain about in NSW, the conciliation conference process used by Anti-Discrimination NSW when a complaint is received, and the types of outcomes people can achieve through these.

For more information about discrimination and the law use these links:

Anti-Discrimination NSW

Anti-Discrimination NSW Enquiry Service

Australian Human Rights Commission

Australian Human Rights Commission complaints

Free legal help with discrimination matters 1300 888 529

Legal Aid NSW Discrimination toolkit

Anti-Discrimination law in NSW recorded webinar – April 2021

Legal Aid NSW Stop Public Threats website which includes translated factsheets in Turkish, Urdu, Hindi and Dari

Stop Public Threats videos – Legal Aid NSW YouTube – July 2020