Latest news with #LegalAidNSW
Sydney Morning Herald
02-06-2025
- Climate
- Sydney Morning Herald
Ruth's home was destroyed. What happened next scared her more
That wasn't the end of it. Later that morning, 'a wave hit us from across the paddocks and the hills' without warning. It was later described as a one-in-5000-year flood and an 'inland tsunami'. Nielsen had just had surgery in Sydney for breast cancer, and had only returned home to pick up her Christmas presents before returning to the city for treatment. Her insurance claim was rejected the first time because her policy covered a range of natural disasters, including storm surge, storm run-off and tsunami, but not floods. 'A lot of people were in my situation. They had everything but flood written on their insurance,' she said. 'We had never flooded in this particular area where I live.' Loading The stress of the cancer treatment took its toll. Nielsen was reluctant to challenge the denial until she spoke to Legal Aid NSW experts at Eugowra showgrounds. Legal Aid is preparing for another wave of requests for assistance following the NSW Mid North Coast and Hunter floods. Insurers had already received more than 6000 claims, the bulk of which relate to damage to homes, the Insurance Council of Australia said. 'Because I had those early morning photos of the water coming into my garage and around the house ... [I was told by Legal Aid], 'You've got a case because this is before the flood actually hit,' ' Nielsen said. 'This was three hours before the actual wave hit us.' She said she believed the photos and videos were crucial to the success of her second claim for insurance based on stormwater damage. Nielsen received funds from contents insurance with the assistance of Legal Aid. 'Unfortunately, we lost two people. That's a bigger loss,' she said. Nielsen has been living in a mobile pod home behind her former home since February 2023. The temporary accommodation was organised by the NSW Reconstruction Authority. 'I was very fortunate to have somewhere to come and stay. I take my hat off to the government. They are doing a brilliant job under extreme circumstances,' Nielsen said. She is awaiting confirmation from government agencies about a replacement home. Avoiding insurance pitfalls A senior disaster recovery and insurance solicitor at Legal Aid NSW, Ma'ata Solofoni, said that 'what we see following a flood is that ... people often don't have cover for flood [damage]' because of the high cost of insurance, particularly in high-risk areas. 'We've heard from people figures like $10,000, up to $60,000. Those are premiums for one year.' Importantly, however, 'storm cover is a standard inclusion in policies', and people may still be covered for damage before any floodwater entered their property. Loading Some insurers bundled an exclusion on stormwater run-off with flood cover, meaning that, if a person had opted out of flood cover, they might also have opted out of those other forms of cover. 'In Ruth's case, she didn't have that bundled exclusion,' Solofoni said. 'For those who unfortunately have that bundled exclusion, they wouldn't be covered for any sort of water damage that's entered the property from [the] ground up. 'What we saw with many of our clients was they weren't aware that's what they had opted out of.' Solofoni said time-stamped photo and video evidence could make 'the biggest difference' when a client might be up against an expensive report prepared by a hydrologist for an insurance company. She encouraged people to gather this evidence if it was safe to do so at the time.
The Age
02-06-2025
- Climate
- The Age
Ruth's home was destroyed. What happened next scared her more
That wasn't the end of it. Later that morning, 'a wave hit us from across the paddocks and the hills' without warning. It was later described as a one-in-5000-year flood and an 'inland tsunami'. Nielsen had just had surgery in Sydney for breast cancer, and had only returned home to pick up her Christmas presents before returning to the city for treatment. Her insurance claim was rejected the first time because her policy covered a range of natural disasters, including storm surge, storm run-off and tsunami, but not floods. 'A lot of people were in my situation. They had everything but flood written on their insurance,' she said. 'We had never flooded in this particular area where I live.' Loading The stress of the cancer treatment took its toll. Nielsen was reluctant to challenge the denial until she spoke to Legal Aid NSW experts at Eugowra showgrounds. Legal Aid is preparing for another wave of requests for assistance following the NSW Mid North Coast and Hunter floods. Insurers had already received more than 6000 claims, the bulk of which relate to damage to homes, the Insurance Council of Australia said. 'Because I had those early morning photos of the water coming into my garage and around the house ... [I was told by Legal Aid], 'You've got a case because this is before the flood actually hit,' ' Nielsen said. 'This was three hours before the actual wave hit us.' She said she believed the photos and videos were crucial to the success of her second claim for insurance based on stormwater damage. Nielsen received funds from contents insurance with the assistance of Legal Aid. 'Unfortunately, we lost two people. That's a bigger loss,' she said. Nielsen has been living in a mobile pod home behind her former home since February 2023. The temporary accommodation was organised by the NSW Reconstruction Authority. 'I was very fortunate to have somewhere to come and stay. I take my hat off to the government. They are doing a brilliant job under extreme circumstances,' Nielsen said. She is awaiting confirmation from government agencies about a replacement home. Avoiding insurance pitfalls A senior disaster recovery and insurance solicitor at Legal Aid NSW, Ma'ata Solofoni, said that 'what we see following a flood is that ... people often don't have cover for flood [damage]' because of the high cost of insurance, particularly in high-risk areas. 'We've heard from people figures like $10,000, up to $60,000. Those are premiums for one year.' Importantly, however, 'storm cover is a standard inclusion in policies', and people may still be covered for damage before any floodwater entered their property. Loading Some insurers bundled an exclusion on stormwater run-off with flood cover, meaning that, if a person had opted out of flood cover, they might also have opted out of those other forms of cover. 'In Ruth's case, she didn't have that bundled exclusion,' Solofoni said. 'For those who unfortunately have that bundled exclusion, they wouldn't be covered for any sort of water damage that's entered the property from [the] ground up. 'What we saw with many of our clients was they weren't aware that's what they had opted out of.' Solofoni said time-stamped photo and video evidence could make 'the biggest difference' when a client might be up against an expensive report prepared by a hydrologist for an insurance company. She encouraged people to gather this evidence if it was safe to do so at the time.
The Advertiser
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Jails funded as DV services stretched to breaking point
Support services will get longer funding timelines to help more than a million domestic violence survivors as spending on jails and courts increases. More than half a billion dollars will go towards dealing with domestic violence to undo years of "neglect", with plans to better support victim-survivors and keep alleged abusers behind bars. Non-government support services will get more certainty around funding with five-year contracts promised, the NSW government said on Monday. Domestic Violence NSW chief executive Delia Donovan said that would improve service sustainability while other reforms were important building blocks. "But they don't address the reality that existing services are stretched to breaking point - operating on outdated funding models that don't come close to covering today's costs," she said. "Too often, domestic and family violence workers are tied to short-term contracts through pilots, and this creates a lot of uncertainty." Premier Chris Minns said his government was providing more funding than any predecessor but the budget was also stretched. "It may not be enough for advocates and they may be demanding more but we believe we're pushing the outer edges of what's possible at the moment," he told reporters. About half of the money is earmarked for a $227 million injection into the state's victims' support service across five years to help victim-survivors access counselling and financial assistance. Almost $50 million will be spent on making it easier for them to give evidence, with remote courtrooms alleviating the risk of attending the same court complex as their abuser. The funds will also provide counselling, legal aid and financial advice at a hub expected to open in late 2027. An estimated one-in-four women and one-in-eight men in Australia have experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member since the age of 15. Recent bail changes for alleged domestic violence offenders have coincided with more inmates on remand, pushing the state's prison population to near record highs. More than $100 million will go towards corrective services to help cope with the increase. Another change ensures bail decisions will be made by magistrates, following the high-profile April 2024 murder of Molly Ticehurst in Forbes, allegedly by her former boyfriend Daniel Billings, who was granted bail by a registrar about two weeks earlier. Ten virtual courtrooms are planned to support remote bail hearings and five new physical ones will be built in Sydney's city centre. NSW Law Society president Jennifer Ball also welcomed an almost $50 million boost to fund more public prosecutors. "But we will be examining the NSW budget ... to determine whether sufficient funding will also be allocated to Legal Aid NSW and Aboriginal Legal Service to meet the significant extra demand new prosecutors will have on the criminal justice system," she said. The budget announcements will lay the foundation for longer-term reforms, Domestic Violence Prevention Minister Jodie Harrison said. "This is work that previous governments have neglected for many years," she said. The state budget will be handed down on June 24. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Support services will get longer funding timelines to help more than a million domestic violence survivors as spending on jails and courts increases. More than half a billion dollars will go towards dealing with domestic violence to undo years of "neglect", with plans to better support victim-survivors and keep alleged abusers behind bars. Non-government support services will get more certainty around funding with five-year contracts promised, the NSW government said on Monday. Domestic Violence NSW chief executive Delia Donovan said that would improve service sustainability while other reforms were important building blocks. "But they don't address the reality that existing services are stretched to breaking point - operating on outdated funding models that don't come close to covering today's costs," she said. "Too often, domestic and family violence workers are tied to short-term contracts through pilots, and this creates a lot of uncertainty." Premier Chris Minns said his government was providing more funding than any predecessor but the budget was also stretched. "It may not be enough for advocates and they may be demanding more but we believe we're pushing the outer edges of what's possible at the moment," he told reporters. About half of the money is earmarked for a $227 million injection into the state's victims' support service across five years to help victim-survivors access counselling and financial assistance. Almost $50 million will be spent on making it easier for them to give evidence, with remote courtrooms alleviating the risk of attending the same court complex as their abuser. The funds will also provide counselling, legal aid and financial advice at a hub expected to open in late 2027. An estimated one-in-four women and one-in-eight men in Australia have experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member since the age of 15. Recent bail changes for alleged domestic violence offenders have coincided with more inmates on remand, pushing the state's prison population to near record highs. More than $100 million will go towards corrective services to help cope with the increase. Another change ensures bail decisions will be made by magistrates, following the high-profile April 2024 murder of Molly Ticehurst in Forbes, allegedly by her former boyfriend Daniel Billings, who was granted bail by a registrar about two weeks earlier. Ten virtual courtrooms are planned to support remote bail hearings and five new physical ones will be built in Sydney's city centre. NSW Law Society president Jennifer Ball also welcomed an almost $50 million boost to fund more public prosecutors. "But we will be examining the NSW budget ... to determine whether sufficient funding will also be allocated to Legal Aid NSW and Aboriginal Legal Service to meet the significant extra demand new prosecutors will have on the criminal justice system," she said. The budget announcements will lay the foundation for longer-term reforms, Domestic Violence Prevention Minister Jodie Harrison said. "This is work that previous governments have neglected for many years," she said. The state budget will be handed down on June 24. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Support services will get longer funding timelines to help more than a million domestic violence survivors as spending on jails and courts increases. More than half a billion dollars will go towards dealing with domestic violence to undo years of "neglect", with plans to better support victim-survivors and keep alleged abusers behind bars. Non-government support services will get more certainty around funding with five-year contracts promised, the NSW government said on Monday. Domestic Violence NSW chief executive Delia Donovan said that would improve service sustainability while other reforms were important building blocks. "But they don't address the reality that existing services are stretched to breaking point - operating on outdated funding models that don't come close to covering today's costs," she said. "Too often, domestic and family violence workers are tied to short-term contracts through pilots, and this creates a lot of uncertainty." Premier Chris Minns said his government was providing more funding than any predecessor but the budget was also stretched. "It may not be enough for advocates and they may be demanding more but we believe we're pushing the outer edges of what's possible at the moment," he told reporters. About half of the money is earmarked for a $227 million injection into the state's victims' support service across five years to help victim-survivors access counselling and financial assistance. Almost $50 million will be spent on making it easier for them to give evidence, with remote courtrooms alleviating the risk of attending the same court complex as their abuser. The funds will also provide counselling, legal aid and financial advice at a hub expected to open in late 2027. An estimated one-in-four women and one-in-eight men in Australia have experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member since the age of 15. Recent bail changes for alleged domestic violence offenders have coincided with more inmates on remand, pushing the state's prison population to near record highs. More than $100 million will go towards corrective services to help cope with the increase. Another change ensures bail decisions will be made by magistrates, following the high-profile April 2024 murder of Molly Ticehurst in Forbes, allegedly by her former boyfriend Daniel Billings, who was granted bail by a registrar about two weeks earlier. Ten virtual courtrooms are planned to support remote bail hearings and five new physical ones will be built in Sydney's city centre. NSW Law Society president Jennifer Ball also welcomed an almost $50 million boost to fund more public prosecutors. "But we will be examining the NSW budget ... to determine whether sufficient funding will also be allocated to Legal Aid NSW and Aboriginal Legal Service to meet the significant extra demand new prosecutors will have on the criminal justice system," she said. The budget announcements will lay the foundation for longer-term reforms, Domestic Violence Prevention Minister Jodie Harrison said. "This is work that previous governments have neglected for many years," she said. The state budget will be handed down on June 24. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Support services will get longer funding timelines to help more than a million domestic violence survivors as spending on jails and courts increases. More than half a billion dollars will go towards dealing with domestic violence to undo years of "neglect", with plans to better support victim-survivors and keep alleged abusers behind bars. Non-government support services will get more certainty around funding with five-year contracts promised, the NSW government said on Monday. Domestic Violence NSW chief executive Delia Donovan said that would improve service sustainability while other reforms were important building blocks. "But they don't address the reality that existing services are stretched to breaking point - operating on outdated funding models that don't come close to covering today's costs," she said. "Too often, domestic and family violence workers are tied to short-term contracts through pilots, and this creates a lot of uncertainty." Premier Chris Minns said his government was providing more funding than any predecessor but the budget was also stretched. "It may not be enough for advocates and they may be demanding more but we believe we're pushing the outer edges of what's possible at the moment," he told reporters. About half of the money is earmarked for a $227 million injection into the state's victims' support service across five years to help victim-survivors access counselling and financial assistance. Almost $50 million will be spent on making it easier for them to give evidence, with remote courtrooms alleviating the risk of attending the same court complex as their abuser. The funds will also provide counselling, legal aid and financial advice at a hub expected to open in late 2027. An estimated one-in-four women and one-in-eight men in Australia have experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member since the age of 15. Recent bail changes for alleged domestic violence offenders have coincided with more inmates on remand, pushing the state's prison population to near record highs. More than $100 million will go towards corrective services to help cope with the increase. Another change ensures bail decisions will be made by magistrates, following the high-profile April 2024 murder of Molly Ticehurst in Forbes, allegedly by her former boyfriend Daniel Billings, who was granted bail by a registrar about two weeks earlier. Ten virtual courtrooms are planned to support remote bail hearings and five new physical ones will be built in Sydney's city centre. NSW Law Society president Jennifer Ball also welcomed an almost $50 million boost to fund more public prosecutors. "But we will be examining the NSW budget ... to determine whether sufficient funding will also be allocated to Legal Aid NSW and Aboriginal Legal Service to meet the significant extra demand new prosecutors will have on the criminal justice system," she said. The budget announcements will lay the foundation for longer-term reforms, Domestic Violence Prevention Minister Jodie Harrison said. "This is work that previous governments have neglected for many years," she said. The state budget will be handed down on June 24. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
The Advertiser
16-05-2025
- The Advertiser
NSW Law Week offers easy-to-understand legal solutions for everyday problems
If you've ever felt confused about your rights when it comes to things like traffic fines, rental problems, or family matters after a separation, you're not alone - and help is on the way. This year, NSW Law Week will be running from May 19 to May 23. The initiative is a collaboration among Legal Aid NSW, Community Legal Centres, the Tenants' Union and the State Library. During Law Week, Legal Aid NSW is hosting Lunch and the Law webinars every day at midday for an hour. These free, easy-to-understand webinars will be around everyday legal issues, and are designed to take the jargon out of the law and help people feel more confident about where they stand. "This year we are focusing on everyday legal problems that affect many Australians," said Legal Aid NSW's Natalie Neumann. "We are hoping these sessions will help dispel the complexities of the law and empower people with an understanding of what their rights are." Many people will be surprised to learn that there may be a legal solution to their problems - and that help is available even when they are not in trouble with the police. "For example, there will be a webinar on your rights when buying used vehicles, whether it's from a dealer or online through platforms like Facebook Marketplace. With the rising cost of living, more people are turning to secondhand cars, but they may not know what protections they have or what to watch out for. You can learn about your consumer rights and the risks involved," Ms Neumann said. The webinar on mobile phones and the law will focus on whether people can record you, whether you must hand your phone to police if they ask, and what to do if you think someone is tracking your phone. "Nearly everyone has a phone, but there is limited understanding among the general public about people's legal rights when using a phone," Ms Neumann said. Recent changes to NSW rental laws, effective from May 19, 2025, will also be covered in a webinar about rental rights. People will be able to learn about new rules, making it easier to keep pets, as well as other changes limiting rent increases, and rental agreement terminations when there is no valid reason given. In a separate session, an experienced family lawyer will talk about parenting after separation and laws around parenting and how parenting orders are made. If you are struggling with paying unpaid fines, it can feel overwhelming, but ignoring it only makes things worse. "We often talk to people who owe thousands of dollars in unpaid fines, but there are plenty of options available. For example, if you are eligible, there are programs like Work and Development Orders (WDOs), which let you reduce fines through things like volunteering or counselling. Support is available and it can be life-changing once people reach out," Ms Neumann said. During the webinars, there will also be an opportunity to ask questions live to lawyers. You need to register to attend the webinars, and you can do that by visiting If you need help with a legal issue, you can also call 1300 888 529. If you've ever felt confused about your rights when it comes to things like traffic fines, rental problems, or family matters after a separation, you're not alone - and help is on the way. This year, NSW Law Week will be running from May 19 to May 23. The initiative is a collaboration among Legal Aid NSW, Community Legal Centres, the Tenants' Union and the State Library. During Law Week, Legal Aid NSW is hosting Lunch and the Law webinars every day at midday for an hour. These free, easy-to-understand webinars will be around everyday legal issues, and are designed to take the jargon out of the law and help people feel more confident about where they stand. "This year we are focusing on everyday legal problems that affect many Australians," said Legal Aid NSW's Natalie Neumann. "We are hoping these sessions will help dispel the complexities of the law and empower people with an understanding of what their rights are." Many people will be surprised to learn that there may be a legal solution to their problems - and that help is available even when they are not in trouble with the police. "For example, there will be a webinar on your rights when buying used vehicles, whether it's from a dealer or online through platforms like Facebook Marketplace. With the rising cost of living, more people are turning to secondhand cars, but they may not know what protections they have or what to watch out for. You can learn about your consumer rights and the risks involved," Ms Neumann said. The webinar on mobile phones and the law will focus on whether people can record you, whether you must hand your phone to police if they ask, and what to do if you think someone is tracking your phone. "Nearly everyone has a phone, but there is limited understanding among the general public about people's legal rights when using a phone," Ms Neumann said. Recent changes to NSW rental laws, effective from May 19, 2025, will also be covered in a webinar about rental rights. People will be able to learn about new rules, making it easier to keep pets, as well as other changes limiting rent increases, and rental agreement terminations when there is no valid reason given. In a separate session, an experienced family lawyer will talk about parenting after separation and laws around parenting and how parenting orders are made. If you are struggling with paying unpaid fines, it can feel overwhelming, but ignoring it only makes things worse. "We often talk to people who owe thousands of dollars in unpaid fines, but there are plenty of options available. For example, if you are eligible, there are programs like Work and Development Orders (WDOs), which let you reduce fines through things like volunteering or counselling. Support is available and it can be life-changing once people reach out," Ms Neumann said. During the webinars, there will also be an opportunity to ask questions live to lawyers. You need to register to attend the webinars, and you can do that by visiting If you need help with a legal issue, you can also call 1300 888 529. If you've ever felt confused about your rights when it comes to things like traffic fines, rental problems, or family matters after a separation, you're not alone - and help is on the way. This year, NSW Law Week will be running from May 19 to May 23. The initiative is a collaboration among Legal Aid NSW, Community Legal Centres, the Tenants' Union and the State Library. During Law Week, Legal Aid NSW is hosting Lunch and the Law webinars every day at midday for an hour. These free, easy-to-understand webinars will be around everyday legal issues, and are designed to take the jargon out of the law and help people feel more confident about where they stand. "This year we are focusing on everyday legal problems that affect many Australians," said Legal Aid NSW's Natalie Neumann. "We are hoping these sessions will help dispel the complexities of the law and empower people with an understanding of what their rights are." Many people will be surprised to learn that there may be a legal solution to their problems - and that help is available even when they are not in trouble with the police. "For example, there will be a webinar on your rights when buying used vehicles, whether it's from a dealer or online through platforms like Facebook Marketplace. With the rising cost of living, more people are turning to secondhand cars, but they may not know what protections they have or what to watch out for. You can learn about your consumer rights and the risks involved," Ms Neumann said. The webinar on mobile phones and the law will focus on whether people can record you, whether you must hand your phone to police if they ask, and what to do if you think someone is tracking your phone. "Nearly everyone has a phone, but there is limited understanding among the general public about people's legal rights when using a phone," Ms Neumann said. Recent changes to NSW rental laws, effective from May 19, 2025, will also be covered in a webinar about rental rights. People will be able to learn about new rules, making it easier to keep pets, as well as other changes limiting rent increases, and rental agreement terminations when there is no valid reason given. In a separate session, an experienced family lawyer will talk about parenting after separation and laws around parenting and how parenting orders are made. If you are struggling with paying unpaid fines, it can feel overwhelming, but ignoring it only makes things worse. "We often talk to people who owe thousands of dollars in unpaid fines, but there are plenty of options available. For example, if you are eligible, there are programs like Work and Development Orders (WDOs), which let you reduce fines through things like volunteering or counselling. Support is available and it can be life-changing once people reach out," Ms Neumann said. During the webinars, there will also be an opportunity to ask questions live to lawyers. You need to register to attend the webinars, and you can do that by visiting If you need help with a legal issue, you can also call 1300 888 529. If you've ever felt confused about your rights when it comes to things like traffic fines, rental problems, or family matters after a separation, you're not alone - and help is on the way. This year, NSW Law Week will be running from May 19 to May 23. The initiative is a collaboration among Legal Aid NSW, Community Legal Centres, the Tenants' Union and the State Library. During Law Week, Legal Aid NSW is hosting Lunch and the Law webinars every day at midday for an hour. These free, easy-to-understand webinars will be around everyday legal issues, and are designed to take the jargon out of the law and help people feel more confident about where they stand. "This year we are focusing on everyday legal problems that affect many Australians," said Legal Aid NSW's Natalie Neumann. "We are hoping these sessions will help dispel the complexities of the law and empower people with an understanding of what their rights are." Many people will be surprised to learn that there may be a legal solution to their problems - and that help is available even when they are not in trouble with the police. "For example, there will be a webinar on your rights when buying used vehicles, whether it's from a dealer or online through platforms like Facebook Marketplace. With the rising cost of living, more people are turning to secondhand cars, but they may not know what protections they have or what to watch out for. You can learn about your consumer rights and the risks involved," Ms Neumann said. The webinar on mobile phones and the law will focus on whether people can record you, whether you must hand your phone to police if they ask, and what to do if you think someone is tracking your phone. "Nearly everyone has a phone, but there is limited understanding among the general public about people's legal rights when using a phone," Ms Neumann said. Recent changes to NSW rental laws, effective from May 19, 2025, will also be covered in a webinar about rental rights. People will be able to learn about new rules, making it easier to keep pets, as well as other changes limiting rent increases, and rental agreement terminations when there is no valid reason given. In a separate session, an experienced family lawyer will talk about parenting after separation and laws around parenting and how parenting orders are made. If you are struggling with paying unpaid fines, it can feel overwhelming, but ignoring it only makes things worse. "We often talk to people who owe thousands of dollars in unpaid fines, but there are plenty of options available. For example, if you are eligible, there are programs like Work and Development Orders (WDOs), which let you reduce fines through things like volunteering or counselling. Support is available and it can be life-changing once people reach out," Ms Neumann said. During the webinars, there will also be an opportunity to ask questions live to lawyers. You need to register to attend the webinars, and you can do that by visiting If you need help with a legal issue, you can also call 1300 888 529.
