Rockingham’s community legal centre SCALES will be forced to turn away hundreds of local residents from 1 July thanks to devastating cuts inflicted by George Brandis and the Turnbull Government.

Local Member of Federal Parliament Madeleine King MP said slashing funding for SCALES made no sense and she would speak against the cuts in Parliament.

 “Despite helping some of the most vulnerable people in the community, SCALES will lose 30 per cent of its funding in the coming financial year,” Ms King said.

“This means people on low incomes, people who cannot afford to pay for legal advice or assistance, will go without help when they need it most.

“With SCALES already having to turn away up to 1,600 people a year because of demand, it is mind boggling that the Government is cutting back on this service, instead of supporting it.”

Ms King said SCALES was on the frontline in helping people deal with domestic violence issues as well as assisting people with problems including Centrelink debts, tenancy disputes and employment issues.

“When in government Labor funded Community Legal Centres and now this Liberal government is taking that funding away,” Ms King said.

“I will continue to call on the government to reverse these cruel cuts as a matter of urgency. Vulnerable people are at risk, and I will continue to advocate on behalf of SCALES so they can continue to help those people.”