The Director of Public Prosecutions has criticised a pre-budget justice funding announcement. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Critics have slammed a $15 million ACT Budget commitment for ”targeted justice incentives”, saying it’s not enough.
Attorney General Tara Cheyne said the money (spread across four years) would help the system deal with future challenges.
“This budget delivers for the community. It supports culturally safe, accessible legal help, expands frontline capacity in our courts and continues critical programs that put the needs of vulnerable people at the centre of the justice system,” she said.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Victoria Engel welcomed some of the commitments, but said they were not adequate.
“The appointment of a 10th magistrate is welcomed, however, the funding to assist the office to service the court listings of a 10th magistrate will not address the sustained increase in demand on the DPP over the last decade and the unmet resourcing needs,” she said.
“As the frontline agency entrusted with achieving justice outcomes for Canberrans through the Court system, this is concerning.”
As well as the funding for a 10th magistrate, the government has committed to funding the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, legal assistance providers, the ACT Human Rights Commission, Legal Aid ACT, Victims’ Services and Financial Assistance Schemes, Sexual Assault Advocate Program, the ACT government solicitors’ office and the Coroners’ Court.
The DPP said funding aimed at improving the experience of victims of sexual and family violence matters would be “hampered” and community safety “compromised” if the office was not adequately funded.
Public prosecution isn’t the only part of the court system that is facing resourcing challenges.
Chief Justice of the ACT Supreme Court Lucy McCallum said the court system was already under “extreme pressure” after it unexpectedly lost two judges from the bench.
Experts have said the underfunding of the court system was creating issues with processing times and the community’s access to justice.
Treasurer Chris Steel said the government was taking justice seriously.
“The ACT has a proud record of social justice and legal inclusion. These investments ensure justice is not just a principle, but a lived reality for people who need support the most,” he said.
“We’re taking a whole-of-system view, supporting frontline organisations, reforming service delivery and improving our ability to respond to challenges through programs like the Intermediary Service and increased court capacity.”
Legal Aid will also get a boost when the Commonwealth Government’s $3.9 billion National Access to Justice Partnership comes into effect in July.
Advocates said this was badly needed for the increasingly overburdened system, as hundreds of thousands are now turned away from the service every year.
