VCOSS welcomes the opportunity to provide input to the Victorian Government’s Access to Justice Review. Access to justice is fundamental to a fair and inclusive society. Inadequate human rights protection, poor legal services access and inequality before the law can have significant and farreaching impacts for vulnerable Victorians.

Access to justice, including a fair hearing and adequate legal assistance is important to protecting human rights and reducing disadvantage. Targeted legal assistance, delivered at the right time and the earliest possible opportunity can help resolve problems that can otherwise escalate, leading to more problems, greater disadvantage and higher costs.