Leila’s Story

Fired for making a complaint

Leila is a woman in her 60s from Papua New Guinea who speaks English as her second language. She has no income and is being supported by her family. Leila was fired the day after making a complaint about her employment.

Leila did not achieve a successful outcome at the Fair Work Commission and approached LawRight for assistance commencing in the Federal Courts. We gave Leila general advice about commencing proceedings, which Leila did independently.

We arranged an in-person appointment for Leila with our volunteer lawyers to provide her with general advice about her claim and assisted her to prepare for an upcoming case management hearing. Due to the challenges Leila had faced self-representing to date, and Leila’s own view of her capacity to self-represent, we decided to place Leila’s matter with a firm.

Leila then received full representation from the firm. Leila is very grateful and provided us with this feedback.

“I cannot thank you all, the Staff and the Volunteers Lawyers for the tremendous work & support you all have given to me for 6 months, without a job and no income”.

by Staff Editor

Mary's Story - Refugee Rights

Mary needed to work to support her child, but could not afford childcare

Mary’s Story

Refugee Rights

Mary is a single mother and English is not her first language. Mary needed to work to support her child but could not afford childcare – she was not considered a resident and therefore ineligible for the government childcare subsidy.

Mary’s application for an exemption to the residency requirement under hardship provisions was rejected. A member firm helped Mary have the decision reviewed and Mary is now eligible for the childcare subsidy.