Lawyers provide free legal help to North Queensland residents affected by Cyclone Jasper

Date 16 January 2024

Legal Aid Queensland (LAQ) lawyers will be on the ground in Port Douglas and Cairns next week to help residents affected by Tropical Cyclone Jasper and severe weather.

Lawyers will be offering free legal help at community townhall sessions and one-on-one meetings, organised by the Insurance Council of Australia, on Tuesday 23 January in Port Douglas and Wednesday 24 January in Cairns.

LAQ principal lawyer, Paul Holmes, said the events are critical to make sure people can speak to experts face-to-face about complicated issues like insurance claims, financial hardship and more.

“These events are great because people can talk to their insurers in-person and get free and independent legal advice from Legal Aid and community lawyers in the one spot.

“People may have questions about what to do next after speaking with their insurer -by being available and working together, we can relieve a lot of stress and uncertainty from people’s situations”.

Unlike other LAQ services, initial Disaster Legal Help is not means tested and is open to anyone affected by a disaster - not just the financially disadvantaged.

“Disasters don’t discriminate. We encourage anyone affected by Tropical Cyclone Jasper or severe weather to attend and ask any legal questions - big or small,” Mr Holmes said.

Event details:

  • Port Douglas Community Hall
    Mowbray St, Port Douglas
    Tuesday, 23 January
    Consultations – 12:00pm–5:00pm
    Town Hall – 6:00pm
  • Brothers Leagues Club Cairns
    99 Anderson St, Manunda
    Wednesday, 24 January
    Consultations – 12:00pm–5:00pm
    Town Hall – 6:00pm

For free disaster legal information and advice call 1300 527 700 or visit www.legalaid.qld.gov.au/Natural-disaster-legal-help.

Media contact: Amanda Catania (3917 0407)

Last updated 16 January 2024

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