NSW’s justice system to get $2bn investment
Australia’s largest state is set to inject $2 billion into its justice system so as to increase access to justice and further strengthen courts and frontline services.
The Perrottet government in NSW has handed down the 2022-23 budget, which will see $2 billion worth of investment into the state’s justice system.
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Overall, NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman (pictured) said, the investment of $2 billion “will alleviate the stress for victims, their families and other vulnerable people who come into contact with our justice system”.
Key justice investments made in NSW’s 2022-23 budget include:
- $481.1 million for Legal Aid NSW, including support for CLCs;
- $18 million for expanded and upgraded AV facilities, including DV complainants and witnesses, in approximately 50 courts and tribunals;
- $13.8 million for three acting District Court judges to address pandemic-inspired backlogs;
- $13.4 million over four years to expand the Statewide Court and Community Liaison Services;
- $10 million over four years to trial bail advocacy and support services for First Nations young people and women in Newcastle and Sydney;
- $7.3 million over four years to support equal and genuine partnerships with First Nations communities;
- $6 million in recurrent expenditure over four years and $2 million in capital expenditure in 2022-23 only on court-appointed questioners to ensure domestic violence complaints are not directly questioned by self-represented defendants
- $5.5 million over four years to provide six full-time commissioners at the Industrial Relations Commission, including support staff and infrastructure;
- $3 million on the special commission of inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes; and
- $700,000 over two years to support the government’s legislative commitment to outlaw coercive control in current and former intimate partner relationships.