Victoria Legal Aid Board meeting public proceedings
Wednesday 16 December 2015
Level 20, 350 Queen St, Melbourne
Present





Andrew Guy – Chairperson
Jennifer Kanis – Board member
Catherine McGovern – Board member
David Thompson – Board member
Bevan Warner – Managing Director and Board member
Apologies: Nil
Managing Director’s report
Drought legal services
The Managing Director advised we are completing a literature review of rural and drought related legal
services. Ms McGovern suggested VLA speak to rural organisations who provide drought legal services
in New South Wales and Queensland to learn from their experience. It was noted that VLA is unlikely to
be able to commence a service this summer season due to the need to do a thorough assessment of
legal need first.
Financial Performance Model
The Board agreed to participate in two workshops in January 2016 regarding the Financial
Performance Model.
Matters arising
Nil.
For decision
Means Test review – initial proposal to index cost of living indicators
The Executive Director Legal Practice introduced the item by noting that VLA’s means test has not
changed since 2007 and is the most restrictive of all Australian legal aid commissions. It was noted that
a full scale review over the next 18 months will look at the policy rationale with the aim of making it
consistent, accessible and allow for increased eligibility. The paper proposed that six indicators be
changed as a matter of priority ahead of the full review.
1
Victoria Legal Aid Board meeting
Public proceedings
The Board approved increases to the means test indicators as follows for implementation in early 2016
with the exact date to be set by the Managing Director. The Board also requested that the changes be
closely monitored and, if necessary, be modified prior to or as an outcome of the full review.
Indicator
Current VLA threshold
New VLA threshold
1. Assessable income: maximum
net income
$255
$360
$364 - $434
$419 - $489
$240
$400 (inner/ middle/metro)
Assessable income: Income test
cut off
2. Housing costs
$300 (outer)
$240 (regional)
3. Principal Place of Residence
equity
$300,000
$500,000
4. Child care costs
$240
$310
5. Motor Vehicle equity
$11,280
$20,000
6. Allowable assets
$865 (single)
$1,095 (single)
$1,730 (with dependants)
$2,190 (with dependants)
Heads of Agreement – 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne
The Board agreed to the Heads of Agreement and noted the next steps in relation to Victoria Legal
Aid’s CBD accommodation.
Acting Managing Director
The Managing Director will be on leave from 21 December 2015 to 12 January 2016 (inclusive).
The Board resolved to appoint Executive Director Criminal Law Helen Fatouros as Acting Managing
Director of Victoria Legal Aid for the period.
For discussion
Temperature check on Our Strategy 2015-18
The Board received an update from the Managing Director and discussed his paper, which provided an
update on the implementation of the Strategy 2015–18 ahead of the mid-year review in February 2016.
Board arrangements and meeting themes for 2016
The Board provided feedback on the Board Planner and requested further information on the indicative
program for the proposed 2016 Board Intensive.
Reports
The Board reviewed and noted the following reports:

Emerging Issues report, with particular discussion surrounding issues impacting on staff
wellbeing.
2
Victoria Legal Aid Board meeting
Public proceedings


November finance with discussion surrounding key performance indicators for grants relating to
key sub-programs.
The Justice and Law reform report.
For information
Client Satisfaction Survey
The Board noted and discussed the paper which provided key findings and recommendations arising
from the Client Satisfaction Survey 2015. It was noted that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural
awareness training is being rolled out to the organisation. Board members expressed interest in
attending the cultural awareness training and the Managing Director undertook to circulate the training
dates to Board members.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Next meeting
17 February 2016
3