Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland and Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd announced the funding yesterday (14 July) at the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting (CLMM).

"These contributions recognise the pivotal role the court plays in prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity," McClelland said.

"Australia already makes a significant annual financial contribution to the ICC under the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court. This year, the Government provided $5.83 million to the ICC as part of Australia's strong and continuing support for the ICC."

Rudd said the ICC plays a critical role in bringing perpetrators of serious crimes to justice.

"The ICC is currently investigating situations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Uganda, Darfur, Kenya, Libya and Cote d'Ivoire where a number of active cases against individuals are currently in train," Rudd said.

"ICC action serves as a warning to those responsible for grave crimes that they can no longer commit such crimes with impunity."

The additional funding will include $135,000 to the Trust Fund for Victims, which assists victims to rebuild their lives and livelihoods; $65,000 to the Trust Fund for Least Developed Countries, which enables developing countries to participate in meetings of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute; and $50,000 to the Coalition for the ICC, a partnership of civil society organisations from 150 countries which works to promote the ratification and implementation of the Rome Statute.