This evening we discussed where to find reliable legal information responding to COVID-19. This is especially important at the moment, when face to face community legal education delivery is not available or only available in a limited way, things are changing so fast and people are often unsure where to look and are relying on untrustworthy sources. We will also look at some resources specifically for young people.

We were lucky to be joined by:

• Amala Ramarathinam, Senior Lawyer with Youthlaw
• Mark Tregonning, Community Legal Education Coordinator with Victoria Legal Aid
• Kirsten Young, Community Engagement Officer with Peninsula Community Legal Centre

Summary of resources discussed:

Legal information relating to COVID-19 across a number of areas of law

• Youthlaw's website for young people: http://youthlaw.asn.au/home/legal-issues-during-covid-19/
• Victoria Legal Aid's website: https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/find-legal-answers/covid-19-coronavirus
• Justice Connect's page dedicated to COVID-19 related legal information in the areas of tenancy, employment, financial troubles, accessing the courts and understanding the emergency powers: https://justiceconnect.org.au/help/covid19/

Tenancy or housing problems during COVID-19

• Tenants Victoria’s website features up to date information about the impact of COVID-19 on tenants’ rights and responsibilities: https://www.tenantsvic.org.au/advice/coronavirus-covid-19/

​​​​Employment problems during COVID-19

• JobWatch has some very helpful Q&A resources on their website answering questions about a number of common employment issues that have arisen as a result of COVID-19: http://jobwatch.org.au/.
• JobWatch also runs a free and confidential Telephone Information Service for workers in Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania from Monday to Friday from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm and until 8:30 pm every Wednesday evening. You can call 1800 331 617, Melbourne Time Applies.

For international students struggling due to COVID-19

• Inner Melbourne Community Legal has developed a website containing legal information tailored to your needs in a number of languages: https://ishelp.org.au.

For trouble paying bills or mounting debts due to COVID-19

• Consumer Action has a number of self-help resources on their website: www.consumeraction.org.au. or you can call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 Monday to Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm.

If you have been fined during the pandemic

• Peninsula Community Legal Centre's Fines Work & Development Permit (WDP) app: https://melbournelaw.neotalogic.com/a/WDP
• Fitzroy Legal Service operates a COVID-19 policing legal advice line: 0434 136 501 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. COVID-19 fines information will also shortly be available on Fitzroy Legal Service’s website: www.fitzroy-legal.org.au.
• Moonee Valley Legal Service’s Fine Fixer tool: www.finefixer.org.au.  
• If you have been stopped by police during the COVID-19 pandemic and want to know your rights or feel that police have done the wrong thing, you can access resources and make a report: https://covidpolicing.org.au/

* All of these resources are for Victoria only unless specified otherwise. Current as at 25 August 2020.