Queensland should establish a Community Financial Rights Service that would combine free legal and financial counselling services, according to this new McKell Institute report.
The report finds Queensland has an opportunity to lead the way by integrating legal, financial counselling, and other critical social supports to provide a more efficient and effective model of delivery.
The report finds Queenslanders experience high rates of poverty and vulnerability and that there is limited support for victim-survivors of economic abuse and elder financial abuse.
Consumer and debt matters represent the most significant area of unaddressed legal need.
The report also finds that all states except Queensland have specialist financial rights services , and that a Community Financial Rights Service would help address key government priorities in Queensland.