News

The NSW Government has announced $4 million dollars in funding to support migrant workers and temporary visa holders in NSW impacted by COVID-19.

People in NSW who have received a COVID-19 on-the-spot fine can contact RLC for free legal advice.

In June 2020, RLC and Slater and Gordon announced an investigation into class action claims against NSW Police concerning the use of invasive and unlawful strip searches. 

RLC stands with Tenants' Union of NSW and 70+ other housing and community organisations and housing researchers calling on National Cabinet to support renters stay in their homes and out of debt during the COVID-19 crisis.

Redfern Legal Centre and Slater and Gordon Lawyers are teaming up to investigate potential class actions for people who have been unlawfully strip-searched by NSW Police in the last six years.

RLC's statewide financial abuse service is maintaining free telephone advice during the pandemic, and we welcome referrals.

On 13 April, the NSW Government announced a six-month moratorium on evictions for tenants in financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

On April 6 2020, the Migrant Employment Legal Service (MELS) wrote to the Minister for Families and Social Services, the Hon Anne Ruston MP, to express concerns about the inability of vulnerable migrant workers to access welfare payments.

On 24 March, Redfern Legal Centre wrote to the NSW Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, the Hon Kevin Andrews MP, calling for urgent support for NSW tenants during the coronavirus pandemic.

Community legal centres have called on the federal government to protect migrant workers from visa cancellations during the COVID-19 crisis and urged businesses to rely on stand-down provisions rather than sack skilled employees.