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$97m budget covers ‘overdue’ salaries, leaves gap for legal aid
An increase in funding for Legal Aid NSW may seem “generous”, but the president of the state’s Law Society is concerned there will not be much left over for legal services once staff are taken care of.
Naomi Neilson
The NSW government has announced an additional $97 million will be funnelled into NSW courts and tribunals, Legal Aid NSW and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions over the next four years to bolster the state’s access to justice and ease pressure on courts.
As explained in a statement from the Minns government, the $9.5 million will assist in “greater ease of access to fee, timely legal assistance” that will “prevent small problems from escalating”.
Although welcoming of the support, NSW Law Society president Cassandra Banks said the increases in “reasonable” staff costs “may well consume a significant portion of this funding” and will likely then limit vulnerable people’s “increased access to justice”.
Ms Banks added stable funding will allow the justice system to continue functioning, but more resources will be needed in the face of a “growing population and slowing criminal finalisations”.
“The Law Society looks forward to measures to address increased demand and workload in our justice system and recognises further significant investments to increase judicial resources and improve court infrastructure are difficult in the present budgetary environment.
“As the budget moves back into a surplus, the Law Society and its members will continue to advocate for a properly resourced justice system, which is essential to the continuing stability of a democratic society,” Ms Banks said in a statement.
Ms Banks welcomed funding for housing stability and investments in programs for homeless people, children in out-of-home care, mental health services, and domestic and family violence victim-survivors.
The Minns government said it had developed a website to educate people about coercive control, including financial abuse. This is ahead of coercive control becoming a criminal offence in 2024.
Ms Banks also welcomed the $131 million investment in initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“The Law Society has consistently supported measures to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, so the $131 million investment in initiatives of the Coalition of Peaks towards the National Agreement on Closing the Gap is also welcome,” Ms Banks said.
Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
You can email Naomi at:
