Bold plan to make Aussie state ‘safer'
Half-a-billion dollars will be splashed on NSW's beleaguered criminal justice system after tough new domestic violence bail laws resulted in a record number of people locked up on remand.
The funding will include an additional $227m as part of the 2025-26 budget over five years for the Victims' Support Service, including strict monitoring for high-risk DV offenders as well as $50m for a victim-survivor hub.
Sydney's main criminal courts, the Downing Centre and John Madison Tower in the CBD, will also be refurbished and upgraded as part of the package, including at least 15 new courtrooms to be located somewhere in the CBD.
Premier Chris Minns said the package, which was announced on Monday, meant well-needed funding would go to making NSW safer and better protecting victim-survivors.
'We will deliver new courtrooms and a unique new hub allowing vulnerable victim-survivors to testify from a different location than their perpetrator. This hub will make a major difference, especially for women and children.'
Attorney-General Michael Daley said the courtroom upgrades and victim-survivor services were 'crucial to reduce courtroom trauma for child complainants and witnesses in sexual abuse cases' and increasing court capacity.
'The Government is also beefing up resources to support industrial manslaughter prosecutions to deter unsafe work practices. Premier Chris Minns said the plan was about making NSW safer. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia
'These investments ensure we are continuing to prioritise community safety and access to justice through the efficient operation of our court system.'
Slated to be opened in 2027, the 'vulnerable persons court hub' will allow witnesses to give evidence remotely via a video link, including in DV and family violence matters, reducing the trauma of being in the court complex.
The hub joins more than $34m in funding for upgrades to the Downing Centre courthouse and the adjoining John Madison Tower, or JMT, including at least five new courtrooms and at least 10 virtual courtrooms.
The NSW Office of Director of Public Prosecution will also receive a further $48.3m to fund additional solicitors, as well as funding for staff working in child sexual offence cases and to address demand on corrections services. The funding will include an additional $227m as part of the 2025-26 budget over five years for the Victims' Support Service, including strict monitoring for high-risk DV offenders as well as $50m for a victim-survivor hub. NewsWire Credit: NCA NewsWire
The state government will spend an additional $100.5m on the state's correction system in light of new DV bail laws that resulted in a record spike of alleged offenders being behind bars on remand awaiting trial or sentence.
At least half of the funding will go to frontline domestic, family, and sexual violence services, including almost $10m for the implementation of the strict new Serious Domestic Abuse Prevention Orders for offenders.
Other measures include five-year contracts for domestic and family violence support services, funding for a new common approach to offender risk assessments – a factor in sentencing – and a new DV and family violence workforce strategy. Attorney-General Michael Daley said the courtroom upgrades were 'crucial'. NewsWire / Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia
It comes amid the passage of controversial youth bail laws in NSW which divided members of the Labor caucus, and as crime in regional communities continues to make headlines, including violence and theft offences.
Domestic Violence NSW CEO Delia Donovan welcomed the government's announcement on Monday, stating that victim-survivors in the state were currently waiting up to two months for support from state services.
Nonetheless, Ms Donovan said more was needed.
'We believe much of this represents the continuation of existing state and federal funding – not new investment,' she said.
'This is not enough. Victim-survivors deserve more than business as usual.
'Yes, we welcome the fulfilment of longer-term reforms such as five-year contracts, workforce development strategy implementation, and new data strategies.
'But they don't address the reality that existing services are stretched to breaking point – operating on outdated funding models that don't come close to covering today's costs.'
Ms Donovan urged the state government to 'listen – really listen – to the voices of victim-survivors, and the frontline workers' and to adequately support services.
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