QLD: Oppn opposes legal aid for prison cell challenge

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-1999
QLD: Oppn opposes legal aid for prison cell challenge

BRISBANE, Feb 9 AAP - The Queensland opposition today demanded a review of Legal Aid
funding, arguing it was absurd that taxpayers' money was being used to launch a court
challenge against the legality of a prison cell.

The Prisoners' Legal Service (PLS) has launched court action, challenging the legality of a
20-bed maximum security unit at the Woodford Prison north-west of Brisbane.

The action, filed in the Queensland Supreme Court on behalf of nine inmates in the unit,
seeks a declaration that the unit was not authorised by Corrective Services legislation and
also an injunction against prisoners being housed in the unit.

Shadow attorney general Lawrence Springborg said today it was absurd that Legal Aid funding
was being used to challenge the right of government to manage the prison system.

He said the PLS was largely funded by Legal Aid.

The state government currently provides around $15 million in funding per year to Legal
Aid.

Mr Springborg said Legal Aid was already pushed to the limit and the money could have been
better spent elsewhere, such as the backlog in Family Court cases.

"I do have a problem when Legal Aid funding is being used to launch action against the
right that the government has to build a certain type of prison cell for difficult prisoners,"
Mr Springborg said.

"These prisoners are not being abused. They're getting proper meals and a roof over their
heads."

Mr Springborg said he believed a review committee should be established to set guidelines
for how Legal Aid funding was to be spent.

AAP sls/cfm/it

KEYWORD: CELLS

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