The border closure has made life more difficult for the vulnerable and disadvantaged people living in our communities. This cross border environment can be fraught for them at the best of times. And despite the sense of living in 'one community', the border closure has shone a light on how reliant people are on cross border services people to get the essential help and support they need.  

The border closure permit system can be hard to comprehend. It's important for us to help people know what they can and can't do in their particular circumstances while sticking to the restrictions. So we have created a factsheet Tips to understand the NSW-VIC Border closure specifically for our communities, and answering FAQs that have been asked of the service. You can find it on our COVID page along with other useful infiormation and answers to COVID-related legal questions.

Last week we advocated to cross border commissioners and MPs in a number of areas, having identified issues with the permit allocation and associated restrictions, and offered simple solutions to address them. There has been a small improvement for family violence victims living within the border zone who need support in Victoria. They can now return to NSW without the need to self-isolate for 14 days, provided they stay within the border zone. We still hold concerns for the many more people who live outside the border zone and are not covered by this change.

You can read the full statement about our advocacy approach on our website.

Our offices remain closed to the public but our service continues. You can reach us on 1800 918 377 or contact us through the website. Our service may be limited, due to the current circumstances, so if we are unable to assist, we will refer you to other appropriate services. 

We are still encouraging referrals to help people in need, and our usual legal service intake criteria applies. Our lawyers can also provide secondary consults to service providers to give general advice on what may be the best course of action for your client.

Free legal advice is also available through Victoria Legal Aid on 1300 792 387 or online chat at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au, or LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529. The Albury Legal Aid Office can also be contacted on 02 6020 7200 for telephone advice.

If you see a trend or theme through the work you are doing and would like to let us know, please email Simon Crase at scrase@umfc.com.au. 

We hope the border closure is soon behind us and we can return to life as one community. If you'd like to keep up with our latest updates, please 'Like' us on Facebook or Twitter. 

Got a legal question for HRCLS? Just call us on 1800 918 377 or email us at cls@umfc.com.au

We help solve legal problems

As a generalist free community legal service, we provide assistance on a range of legal issues, including:

·       family law

·       family violence

·       separation and divorce

·       youth law

·       motor vehicle accidents

·       credit and debt issues

·       consumer complaints

·       fines

·       other everyday legal problems

Some legal problems, like bankruptcy, conveyancing, personal injury, and commercial matters, we are unable to assit with, but if you call us, we can refer you to someone who can help. We prioritise people experiencing family violence, children and youth, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with a disability or mental illness, the elderly, low income earners, and people from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Getting control of utility bills

Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW continues to help consumers who are experiencing difficulties with their electricity, gas and water providers. The office is open to help people who require assistance in managing a complaint in regard to their energy provider, or if they just have an enquiry. Contact 1800 246 545 or email complaints@ewon.com.au.

EWON is very concerned about rising energy bills. With more people now working from home and more people unemployed, they may be struggle to pay energy bills that have likley increased over winter. Consumers also have other concerns that they haven’t had previously, such as rental affordability and mental health, etc. EWON would like to let people know about the support currently available.

EWON offers informative articles to include in newsletters, including topics such as:

-          About EWON

-          Energy saving

-          Customer assistance programs

-          High energy bills

-          Difficulty paying bills

-          Coronavirus and managing your energy account.

Please contact Community Engagement Officer Julie Bye at julieb@ewon.com.au to organise this.