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Success stories
Lizzie and the children get to go home
Lizzie Smith* had three children, including a severely disabled 18 month old. She fled the family home with her children due to domestic violence. > more
A life of trauma
Teenager Therese is on a disability support pension with borderline personality and post traumatic stress disorders. > more
Review of QCAT decision thanks to LawRight
David is a pensioner and English is his second language. > more
Rights for human rights activist
Lisa, a single parent working part-time, believed passionately in human rights and equality. > more
Injured employee receives settlement thanks to Cairns CLC
John had been employed in his job for three years when he suffered a non-work-related injury which required surgery. His employer hired another person to fill in for John while he was off work, an > more
Religious freedom for South West Brisbane CLC client
South West Brisbane Community Legal Centre's Outreach Solicitor assisted a woman who had experienced significant domestic violence. > more
Work and dignity restored
Matthew is a long term sufferer of mental health issues with minimal vision who enjoyed his employment in the youth sector. > more
James returns to the dance floor
James uses a motorised wheelchair and doesn’t mind a boogie. > more
Cairns CLC assists diabetic student who is made to ‘feels like a junkie’
A NORTH Queensland training organisation has been accused of discriminating against a student with diabetes after forcing her to inject lifesaving insulin off campus. > more
Grieving mother given housing options
Through its new health justice partnership in Cairns with Indigenous health service Wuchopperen, the QPILCH Homeless Persons’ Legal Clinic recently assisted “Shanti”, a young mother experiencing ho > more
Mary's marriage over, but financial future secured
Mary* was very distraught when she contacted North Queensland Women's Legal Service (NQWLS). Her husband of 26 years, Alan, had just told her that their marriage > more
Suncoast Community Legal Service Reverses Bankruptcy Decision
Shirley had enlisted a firm of solicitors to assist in administering her deceased mothers estate. > more
Yohanes takes on QCAT and wins
Yohannes is a 50-year-old refugee from Ethiopia who arrived with limited English. When he was new to Australia, he was charged with common assault. > more
Homeless Persons Legal Clinic frees Jason* of debt
People experiencing chronic disadvantage often have problems with the police, particularly in relation to their presence in public spaces. > more
Mental Health Law Practice negotiates debt relief for 'George'
“George” was admitted to a mental health unit on an involuntary treatment order with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and manic depression. > more
Homeless woman fights to be removed from tenancy blacklist
Theresa*, a vulnerable young mother, was the victim of a series of aggressive attacks by her ex-partner causing her long-term injuries. > more
Better training for police
Queensland Advocacy Incorporated (QAI) advocate Nick Collyer successfully raised the need for police and people with a lived experience of mental illness to work together towards better police re > more
Margaret wins legal action against insurance company
Margaret* attended TASC’s Rural Women’s Outreach Legal Clinic in December 2015 seeking assistance; she had been involved in a motor vehicle accident. Margaret was not insured. > more
Basic Rights Queensland appeals to Administrative Appeals Tribunal
Born with spina bifida, Charlie suffered from faecal and urinary incontinence. > more
Win over father's will
Volunteers at QPILCH’s Self Representation Service assisted “Nadine” who held an enduring power of attorney for her elderly father. > more
Caxton Legal Centre helps a severely deaf woman win discrimination case
With help from Caxton Legal Centre, a severely deaf woman whose repeated requests to police for an interpreter went unheeded has won an appeal to have her discrimination case reconsidered in Queens > more
Win for the small person
Geoff lives in rural Queensland and his employment with a local council was terminated after he sustained a workplace injury.
> more
Elder abuse community legal education at Cherbourg
Caxton Legal Centre's Seniors Legal and Support Service helps seniors experiencing elder abuse, mistreatment or financial exploitation. > more
Mackay Regional CLC helps reunite a family
Hayley* and David* and their two young children lived together as a family until they were evicted from their rental property. Hayley and David were homeless for 3 months. > more
New precedent on property settlement involving veterans
“Christopher” was a veteran who was dependant on an invalidity pension from the Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme (MSBS). > more
Decision overturned about ECT treatment
Queensland Advocacy Incorporated assisted Bill* who was subject to multiple successive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) applications to treat his schizoaffective disorder. > more
A life of trauma
Teenager Therese is on a disability support pension with borderline personality and post traumatic stress disorders. > more
Mackay Regional CLC keep Keith* on his feet
Even though Keith* continued to work full time in a fairly well paid job, he became bankrupt shortly after his separation from Jenny due to debts incurred during the relationship. > more
Basic Rights Queensland appeals for payout
Catherine approached Basic Rights Queensland as she was unable to qualify for income support due to a “preclusion period” imposed as a result of a compensation payout resulting from a motor vehicle > more
Decision to swap patients overturned
Queensland Advocacy Incorporated assisted Steve* who was under a Forensic Order. The health service which was treating him wanted to transfer him to another mental health service. > more
Work and dignity restored
Matthew is a long term sufferer of mental health issues with minimal vision who enjoyed his employment in the youth sector.
> more
Nick gets access to the support he needs
Nick* suffered a brain injury in an accident and, as is quite common with brain injuries, he lacked insight into the effect his injury had on his brain function. > more
Park and Village Information Link works with client to enforce rights
Samantha* is a resident of a retirement village and attended a talk about Retirement Living Options presented by the Park and Village Information Link. > more
QAI’s involvement in coronial proceedings: police shooting in 2014
Laval Zimmer was 28 years old when a Queensland police officer shot him through the heart at point blank range. He fell, face down, outside his bedroom door. He groaned “I’m dying” and bled out w > more
LawRight helps provide hope for aboriginal family violence survivor
Anna, a 17 year old aboriginal girl, has already endured a lifetime of violence. In 2015, her ex-partner viciously stabbed her and convinced the community to ostracise her. > more
Doug returns to work
Doug, a 64-year-old man from a remote area, was sacked following a workplace injury. > more
Disability support needs are not child protection issues
Amy* was finding it increasingly difficult to care for her daughter Jodie* - who had severe disabilities and required total personal care and intense supervision - without adequate specialist disab > more
Cairns CLC helps clear hospital fees of client's late husband
A client contacted the Cairns CLC in relation to a dispute with a health service provider. > more
Long walk to freedom
Marco*, who has a cognitive impairment, had been employed for many years by a large national chain through an Assisted Employment Program. > more
Three years to end a doomed cycle
According to her community worker, teenager Bobby was on the road to prison – a fate that meets many young people exiting the Child Protection system. > more
LawRight finds specialist help for Leo
Leo is a teenager from Townsville who began self-identifying and presenting as a male in his early teens. > more
Betty reunited with daughter after family law run-around
Betty* suffered health problems and financial difficulties after her marriage broke up, and she agreed that her husband Fred* could look after their four-year-old daughter Bella* for six months unt > more
Member of Parliament grateful for Caxton Legal Centre
In about 1989, Trevor was a student at QUT and applying for AusStudy. Centrelink denied his application, saying he was (or should be) dependent on his parents. > more
Tribunal overturns decision on pet care
Jenny had been given an 8 week Unemployment Non-Payment Period after leaving her employment voluntarily. Jenny was working when her beloved pet fell ill with a rare illness. > more
LawRight helps Michael get it together
Michael had been unemployed for some time, his mental health had declined and he fell behind in everything, including his rent. > more
Bouncing Baby for Belle
When Belle first came to the Health Advocacy Legal Clinic at LawRight she was 28 weeks pregnant and planned to offer the baby for adoption. > more
Mackay Regional Community Legal Centre work with client to reconnect water
Albert* was residing on a small island with a 5 year tenancy agreement. He was required to maintain the property while he resided there. > more
'Mosquito' device slapped down
The Taylor St Community Legal Service has intervened to end use of the ‘Mosquito devi > more
Mental illness “downward spiral” disrupted by lawyers
Following a divorce, 64 year old “Phil” became mentally unwell, which set off an enormous chain of problems. He lost his job, couldn’t keep up with his rent and tried to end his life. > more
Lawyers collaborate to get Cairns man back to work
‘James*’, a 64-year-old man living in a rural area west of Cairns, lost his job and his employer-provided housing after he sustained a workplace injury. > more
Townsville LawRight prevents injustice
Beth is a survivor of 20 years of family violence, with a deep need for safe accommodation. > more
Nick wins in Court
Nick is 41 years old and training to be a mixed martial arts professional. He had previously received voluntary treatment for depression, anxiety and a psychotic illness. > more
Cairns Community Legal Centre works with client to disconnect internet
The client contacted the Cairns Community Legal Centre in relation to a dispute with an internet service provider. The client was in receipt of a Disability Support Pension. > more
Mechanic pays for dodgy repairs thanks to the Suncoast CLS
An elderly pensioner had purchased a new car and wished to tow his caravan, so required some auto electrical work to be done on the vehicle. He obtained several quotes and decided to use a local p > more
Trapped New Zealander is freed
“David” arrived in Australia as a two year old and was later taken into state care for 11 years. > more
Better response to mental illness
Clare is 39 years old and has a part-time job. She lives with her parents and hopes to attend university one day. > more
Refugee service rights wrongs
Barkhado arrived in Australia as a refugee after fleeing Somalia. > more
Cairns Community Legal Centre helps client clear debt
The client came to the Cairns Community Legal Centre after unexpectedly receiving a letter from a debt collection agency requesting the immediate payment of over $900. > more
Refugee fights driving fines with the help of Suncoast CLS
A client from a non-English speaking background had arrived in Australia as a refugee approximately 8 years ago with his wife and young daughter. The client held several lowly paid casual jobs to > more
Bob for Bob after car claim
Bob* contacted the Cairns Community Legal Centre in relation to a dispute with an insurance company arising from a motor vehicle accident. The accident was caused when the other driver made a righ > more
Cairns CLC helps Max feel safe
Max* is an unemployed Indigenous man who was staying in emergency accommodation at a local homeless shelter. Max had been threatened by his ex-partner and was distressed and in fear for his safety > more
LawRight assists Theresa return home
Theresa is a young mother who suffered significant long-term injuries from her partner’s attacks. > more
Basic Rights Queensland reduce debt for elderly carer
Basic Rights Queensland elderly client Sue, had taken a severely disabled child into her home and cared for her for decades, received a payment of $100,000 arrears owed to her by a state government > more
Harry allowed back behind the wheel
Harry, an elderly client had been driving for 60 years without a traffic infringement. He suffered a slight stroke approximately 4 years ago which impaired his speech slightly but with no other si > more
Helen maintains her right to financial independence
The Taylor Street Community Legal Service was approached by Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia to assist Helen*, a young woman living with autism and complex mental health issues to appeal a fi > more
Yolanda's Volunteering Journey
Many thanks to Yolanda for volunteering on Caxton’s front desk.
Here’s her story: > more
LawRight assists Penelope to waive debt
Penelope was a young woman experiencing mental illness and a severe brain injury as a result of chronic alcoholism and an attempted suicide. > more
Tenants Queensland helps client
Jackie called Tenants Queensland looking to end her tenancy due to her poor health which had been greatly exacerbated due to the state of the premises. > more
Bond retrieved by Gold Coast CLC
Gold Coast Community Legal Centre assisted a vulnerable and disadvantage client in a rental (bond) dispute. > more
RAILS assists with refugee family reunion
The Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS) had a positive outcome for an Afghan Hazaral client with a long-running Refugee Family Reunion matter. > more
TASC helps combat elder abuse
Pat* was caring for her late husband Brian during the final stages of his life, when she hired an advisor to sort out her finances. > more
Rita's children return home
Rita is an Aboriginal woman with five biological children and strong ties to her communities in the Northern Territory and South Australia. > more
Cairns Legal Centre secures home for war veteran
Adam has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and is classified as a Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) veteran. > more
Steve* allowed to move interstate with QAI's help
Queensland Advocacy Inc (QAI)'s Mental Health Legal Service represented Steve under a Forensic Order at a hearing before the Mental Health Review Tribunal relating to an application for approval to > more
Mary and her grandchildren return home
University educated Indigenous woman, “Mary”*, aged 59 year old, was a stolen generation child, sent to a remote community at 3 weeks old. She had been in a relationship with her husband, “Bob”*, > more
For the small person
Geoff lives in rural Queensland and his employment with a local council was terminated after he sustained a workplace injury. > more
LawRight helps Jeffrey settle property matter
Jeffrey and his wife were getting older but didn’t own their own home, so they gave $96,000 to their son and daughter-in-law to help them buy a property, on the understanding that Jeffrey and his w > more
Suncoast CLS saves pensioners from homelessness
Suncoast CLS kept two pensioners in their seventies from certain homelessness after QCAT issued a warrant of possession returning their rental home to the landlord at the end of a periodic tenancy. > more
X less Y = reduced finanical pressures thanks to the Cairns CLC
Ms X is 63 years old and resides in a regional area. Around 20 years ago, Ms X’s marriage ended after she was subject to significant domestic violence. To assist with meeting her property’s finan > more
