CLS will share in $3.8 million of government funding which will allow the non-profit service to employ a lawyer to focus on family violence.

A lawyer attached to the program will provide legal advice, court representation and other assistance including an outreach service and casework representation.

Attorney-General Rob Hulls made the announcement in Morwell yesterday.

The funding coincides with the introduction of the Family Violence Protection Bill in June.

Until then family violence issues were dealt with under an amendment to the Crime Act.

The new Bill would improve protection for victims of family violence and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

CLS principal solicitor and coordinator Simone Elias said it was vital there was someone allocated to deal directly with victims of family violence.

``We can now actually build relationships and partnerships with the community and work with court and be part of the important process and system for all court users,'' Ms Elias said.

``We are happy to receive the funding as we are currently running a duty service and running this from our own resources and the additional money will help us employ someone to focus on family violence.

``We can be quite critical of the government at times but through the family violence reforms we have seen a sustained effort and investment to making this system work for victims.''

Ms Elias said while CLS was pleased with the announcement and the reforms, she said there was still more work to be done.

``Further reforms could be made and from the CLS point-of-view it is really important that we see the roll out of a specialist family division currently operating in rural courts to Gippsland courts,'' Ms Elias said.

``A couple of years ago the Attorney-General introduced additional power to the Magistrates Court in the family violence division in a form of a specialist family pilot program.

``This division had the power to order offenders to counselling and behavioural programs and we really need to see this rolled out across the state.''

Key elements of the new Act would include making it easier for victims of family violence to remain in the family home with their children while the perpetrator may be required to leave.

The Act would also ensure that self-represented perpetrators could not personally cross-examine their victims in court.

The Act would also broaden the definition of family violence to include economic and emotional abuse as well as other types of threatening and controlling behaviour, for the purpose of seeking intervention orders.

Nationals MLA for Morwell Russell Northe hoped the initiative would help empower victims of family violence.

``One of our most basic needs and indeed rights as humans is to feel safe, and this is particularly so within the family unit,'' Mr Northe said.

``For victims of family violence, this right is oppressed and we as a society and politicians as law-makers, must do all we can to assist victims to restore control and dignity and live free from harm.''

Mr Hulls said the announcement would ensure family violence victims were provided with the necessary services to help them navigate through the court system.

He also added that the new Act would ensure victims of violence were not further distressed by being forced from their homes.

``In the past family violence has been seen as a domestic matter... it's not, it's a blight on our community which has a devastating impact on victims and families,'' Mr Hulls said.