New Centre for Rural and Regional Law and Justice launched

Chief Magistrate of Victoria Ian Gray officially launched Deakin University's new Centre for Rural Regional Law and Justice yesterday.

Director of the Centre, Richard Coverdale said the Centre responds to a significant gaps rural research and advocacy.

"While inequities in the delivery of justice system services to regional communities are broadly acknowledged, responses have to date been ad-hoc, with limited input from users of those services and their advocates", Mr Coverdale said.

The new Centre's mission is to enhance access to improved justice systems and services for rural and regional Australians through research, education, engagement and advocacy.

"During his opening address Chief Magistrate Gray highlighted the important work already undertaken by the Centre following the launch of our 'Postcode Justice' research report last year," Mr Coverdale said.

"That particular report created a lot of discussion about the issues rural and regional Victorians face in accessing justice systems particularly and highlighted the inequities which exist between regional and metropolitan court facilities and services.

"Chief Magistrate Gray also spoke about the activities of the Magistrate's Court in regional areas."Mr Coverdale said the launch was followed by the first Advisory Committee meeting of the Centre.

"The Advisory Committee, comprises 10 representatives across the law and human services sectors in regional Victoria and will provide advice and support to the Centre's activities," he said.

Further information about the centre is available here