February 23, 2016 | Rosanna Di Grazia
The Federation of Community Legal Centres congratulates our executive officer, Liana Buchanan, on her appointment today as Victoria’s new Commissioner for Children and Young People.
‘Leading the peak body for community legal centres in Victoria over the past three years, Liana has been a highly effective advocate and powerful voice for vulnerable people who need free legal help, including women facing family violence who seek protection through the courts.
‘We know there is a strong link between violence against women and impacts on children, and Liana will carry her strong command of policy, law reform, advocacy, and, importantly, her values, into a role vital to the protection of children and young people in this state,’ said Belinda Lo, chair of the Federation’s committee of management, today.
‘We also thank Liana for her strong leadership of a Victorian community legal sector of some 48 centres, more than a quarter of community legal centres nationally.
‘At a time of harsh Federal funding constraints, Liana has fostered strength and unity in the Victorian sector, and has ensured Victoria has been a strong voice in the national campaign to secure funding for community legal centres to enable them to meet escalating legal need among the many people who cannot afford to pay for legal help with a broad range of civil matters.
‘Liana also played a key role in strengthening the National Partnership Agreement on Legal Assistance Services, working to minimise its challenges and impacts on Victorian community legal centres.
‘Victoria has a credible and capable new Commissioner for Children and Young People, and we wish Liana well,’ Belinda concluded.
The Federation will commence a recruitment process for a new executive officer who will be appointed following Liana’s departure in late March.
Victorian Government media release
Media contacts
Belinda Lo
Chair, Committee of Management
Federation of Community Legal Centres
0423 731 821
Darren Lewin-Hill
Communications Manager
Federation of Community Legal Centres
0488 773 535
