McKee NicoleNICOLE McKEE (ACT): Thank you Madam Chair. I rise on behalf of the ACT Party in support of this bill Lawyers and Conveyancers (Employed Lawyers Providing Free Legal Services) Amendment Bill. I'm just going to call it the Pro Bono Bill". There's questions on why we have so many people going to Citizens Advice Bureau community law services to try and get some help and assistance and really it boils down to the fact that they can't afford it. And if you google "free legal advice" the first thing that you get that comes up on the screen is a whole lot of information about employment relations and trying to get free pro bono work through them.The question that we need to be asking is why can we not utilise the ability of those with this learned knowledge to be able to share that knowledge outside of their current employment obligations to help those that are in need? And while I hear some of the arguments across the House from members about whether or not a person has enough experience to be able to take part in pro bono work I think a person who's done five years at least of legal study has some nous to be able to stand up and at least give some advice to others.What we do need a lot more of is the utilisation of that learned knowledge so that the lawyers can help others to navigate themselves through the justice system to help those that may be in need but to help those that are also in fear of the justice system and in fear of the unknown. By utilising pro bono lawyers there is a chance that going into or entering into the justice system could be avoided. And if the right and opportune advice is given then we could stop people from actually having to go through that justice system and this bill will allow those opportunities to take place.Those with a law degree should be able to entertain the idea that they can deliver some pro bono work. And I think from what I'm hearing we're all in agreement with that. They should be able to do so without concern about their employment status and that becomes a win-win for everybody. It's a win for those that are seeking to help the disadvantaged and of course it's a win for those that are seeking help so that they're not disadvantaged. And this bill has a noble aim: it is to improve access to justice without compromising the standards of professional conduct and client care required under the rules.The majority of people that need pro bono help or free legal advice are from low income backgrounds. They simply cannot afford the justice. And as I said earlier this bill does allow for those opportunities. However I do note that there's questions that arise around the liability: who is responsible should the advice that's given not be that helpful or be detrimental. And at the moment the people who are responsible of course are the employers but we're asking for lawyers to be able to go out there and give pro bono work without having to rely on an employer. So the question will remain: who is it that will be liable for the wrong advice if it's given? And I think that that's something that the Justice Committee of which—Arena Williams: Good question.NICOLE McKEE: Sorry?Arena Williams: Good question.NICOLE McKEE: —I'm a part should also look into in a way to determine how we can allow the lawyers to be able to help the individuals out there that need it to make sure that there's no liability on them but make sure that that access to justice and information is available.So on that point I do commend this bill to the House."