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1. Workplace injury
1. Home
2. Blog
3. Workplace injury
4. Extending access to justice for regional Australians
MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE: EXTENDING ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR REGIONAL
AUSTRALIANS
James Goddard
Senior Associate
By James Goddard
Each year, thousands of Australians find their lives turned upside down by
illness or injury through no fault of their own.
When this happens, finding the right lawyer to guide them through the legal
process is so important – it can make all the difference in helping them secure
compensation and get on the best road to recovery.
Unfortunately, there are significant barriers to accessing legal services for
many people living in regional and remote areas of the country.
James Goddard, a Senior Associate at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, is passionate
about helping everyday Australians when they need it most and advocates for
making legal services available in regional and remote areas.
CONNECTING WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES
James has worked in regional areas across North, Central and South-East
Queensland for more than a decade and now leads our visiting office in Mount
Isa.
“Mount Isa is unlike anywhere I’ve been before,” says James.
“Every rural community I’ve ever been to has its own sense of identity and its
own sense of place.”
For James, connecting to the local community and understanding each region and
town’s sense of identity is vital to helping its residents.
Learning about local industry and employers, recognising challenges faced by
workers in the area, knowing the landscape and the dangers of driving on remote
country roads, and being familiar with local Courts and officials are all
important pieces of the puzzle in extending justice to regional and remote
areas.
“It's so critical that we can meet people where they are. Access to justice
shouldn’t just be for people located on the coastline,” says James.
James is driven by the desire to help people and get them back on the right path
after the most difficult time of their lives.
> “It is a real privilege to be invited into the lives of people we act for.”
BARRIERS TO ACCESSING LEGAL SERVICES IN REMOTE REGIONS
Recent statistics show that while a third of all Australians live in regional
and remote areas, only nine per cent of all Australian lawyers practise in rural
areas.
While technology has made it easier to access legal services in remote
locations, several barriers remain.
Unreliable or expensive phone and internet connections, as well as lower rates
of digital literacy, mean that options such as teleconferencing and
videoconferencing aren’t always available.
Often, travelling to the closest major city to meet with a lawyer or attend
Court is the only option. However, the costs and travel time associated with
travelling long distances can be prohibitive.
MAKING IT EASIER TO ACCESS LEGAL SERVICES
Extending justice to all Australians starts with having lawyers available on the
ground in regional and remote areas.
The Law Council of Australia has made recruiting and retaining lawyers in
“rural, regional, and remote” areas a key policy area, advocating for several
programs to attract more lawyers to regional practice, including the Higher
Education Loan Program (HELP) debt relief.
We are committed to making it easier for everyday Australians to access justice
wherever they live.
With 33 offices across the country and another 29 visiting offices in regional
Victoria and Queensland, we have lawyers close to you who can explain your
rights and help you navigate the compensation process.
No matter where you are, reaching out for initial legal advice is the most
important step.
“We can help you know where you stand and what your rights are, and then you can
make a choice knowing what’s available to you,” says James.
You may be entitled to compensation if you or a family member can’t work due to
an injury or illness.
Contact us to talk to one of our experienced, caring lawyers about your rights
and entitlements, or use our free claim check tool to find out if you’re
eligible.
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MORE BLOG TOPICS
* Class actions
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* Insurance
* Social justice
* Superannuation
* Childhood abuse
* Employment issues
* Medical injury
* Road injury
* Workplaces disease exposure
* Wills & estates
* Asbestos & Silica dust diseases
* Workplace injury
DEDICATED WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIM LAWYERS
Our specialist work injury lawyers are here to help. If you've suffered an
injury at work that has affected your physical or psychological wellbeing,
we can help you get back on track so you can focus on getting better. Find out
how we can assist you with your work injury claim.
Start free claim check
Learn more
* Meet James
JAMES GODDARD
Senior Associate
“The thing that drives me to succeed at my work is obtaining justice and
positive outcomes for my clients and their families. These people have
suffered – through no fault of their own – and it’s our role as a firm and me
personally to do our best to help them."
Learn more about James
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meet James
JAMES GODDARD
Senior Associate
“The thing that drives me to succeed at my work is obtaining justice and
positive outcomes for my clients and their families. These people have suffered
– through no fault of their own – and it’s our role as a firm and me personally
to do our best to help them."
Learn more about James
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View our blog View our blog
EASY WAYS TO GET IN TOUCH
We are here to help. Give us a call, request a call back or use our free claim
check tool to get in touch with our friendly legal team. With local knowledge
and a national network of experts, we have the experience you can count on.
Free claim check
Request a callback
Call 1800 111 222
OFFICE LOCATIONS
WE’RE HERE TO HELP. GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR LOCAL OFFICE.
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We have lawyers who specialise in a range of legal claims who travel to
Australian Capital Territory. If you need a lawyer in Canberra or elsewhere in
Australian Capital Territory, please call us on 1800 675 346.
* Perth
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We have lawyers who specialise in a range of legal claims who travel to
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please call us on 1800 675 346.
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Maurice Blackburn acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we
work and live across Australia, and recognise their continuing connection to the
land and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present.
Authorised by M.Cooney, Maurice Blackburn, Melbourne
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