Latest News

New name, new funding for park and village legal service

Caxton Legal Centre is pleased to announce that it has received funding from the Queensland Government to continue to provide legal services for people in retirement villages and manufactured home parks until mid-2023.  The program will undergo a name change with the name Queensland Retirement Village and Parks Advice Service (QRVPAS) to replace the name Park and Village Information Link (PAVIL).  This new name has been chosen to better reflect nature … Continue reading New name, new funding for park and village legal service

Retirement villages in Australia: The case for Commonwealth intervention

Caxton Legal Centre lawyer Brittany Smeed has recently argued in favour of greater involvement of the federal government in the regulation of retirement villages in her paper 'Retirement villages in Australia: The case for Commonwealth intervention', published in Western Sydney University's Elder Law Review journal. The paper suggests that the retirement village industry has now … Continue reading Retirement villages in Australia: The case for Commonwealth intervention

Successful outcome in ancestral connections employment matter

Three Aboriginal cultural heritage officers who lost their jobs after failing to prove ancestral connection to the Barada Barna people because their ancestor, Kitchener Brown, was a member of the Stolen Generation, have been awarded compensation in a decision by the Fair Work Commission. The employer argued that the adverse action it took in dismissing … Continue reading Successful outcome in ancestral connections employment matter

Caxton Legal Centre begins search for new Chief Executive Officer

Klaire Coles and Cybele Koning will commence as Acting Directors of Caxton Legal Centre from Tuesday, 2nd October, 2018 as the organisation begins its search for a new Chief Executive Officer. “Caxton Legal Centre has been standing up for the rights of people who suffer as a result of the way the legal system is … Continue reading Caxton Legal Centre begins search for new Chief Executive Officer

Caxton Legal Centre welcomes Royal Commission into Aged Care

Caxton Legal Centre welcomes Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s decision to hold a royal commission into Australia’s aged care system. The Seniors Legal and Support Service regularly assists older people whose right to receive quality aged care is not being met. “Through the Seniors Legal and Support Service we encounter older people who have experienced abuse … Continue reading Caxton Legal Centre welcomes Royal Commission into Aged Care

Caxton Legal Centre Director Scott McDougall announced as Queensland’s next Anti-Discrimination Commissioner 

It is with mixed feelings that Caxton Legal Centre announces that its Director, Scott McDougall, has been appointed as Queensland’s next Anti-Discrimination Commissioner.   Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath announced the appointment on Thursday. Scott has been the Director of Caxton Legal Centre for 16 years, during which time the organisation has experienced considerable growth, and become one … Continue reading Caxton Legal Centre Director Scott McDougall announced as Queensland’s next Anti-Discrimination Commissioner 

Legal information update

Three of Caxton Legal Centre’s legal information sources have been updated recently:  Schoolies Week website  An outline of some common offences. Essential reading for school-leavers before they head to Schoolies Week.  Same-Sex Relationships in the Queensland Law Handbook  Updated information including the recent marriage equality laws.   Police Powers – Your Rights  A booklet outlining your rights under the Police Powers and … Continue reading Legal information update

Submission on the proposed Retirement Living Code of Conduct 

Caxton Legal Centre has provided a submission to the proposed Retirement Living Code of Conduct, which is an initiative of the Property Council of Australia, and aged care peaks Leading Age Services Australia and Aged and Community Services Australia.   Caxton’s submission acknowledges the positive step being taken by the retirement living industry in attempting to introduce methods of … Continue reading Submission on the proposed Retirement Living Code of Conduct 

A detailed look at the Social Worker-Lawyer Intervention Model for Elder Abuse

Caxton Legal Centre’s Seniors Legal and Support Service has produced a comprehensive document introducing and explaining the intricacies of its unique social worker-lawyer intervention model. The report states: “Elder abuse is a human rights issue. Older people are vulnerable to abuse, mistreatment and exploitation. Interventions should simultaneously promote a life free from abuse, and support … Continue reading A detailed look at the Social Worker-Lawyer Intervention Model for Elder Abuse

Manning Street Project Reports: Objectional behaviour evictions and Police photography of children

Students participating in the Manning Street Project, a pro bono partnership between the UQ Pro Bono Centre and Caxton Legal Centre, have produced two reports to finalise their work from semester 1, 2018.  Objectional Behaviour Evictions in Social Housing  This report covered legislation, policy and case law in relation to the termination of social housing tenancies on the grounds of objectionable behaviour.  … Continue reading Manning Street Project Reports: Objectional behaviour evictions and Police photography of children