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SA budget 2021: Courts funding boosted by $2m
The Honorable Rob Lucas MLC has announced the South Australian budget for 2021-22, which includes a boost to the state’s justice system.
Lauren Croft
This week, the Treasurer announced a $2 million boost to the South Australian court system, as well as a $38 million increase in child protection funding and $10 million over four years to help reduce Aboriginal over-representation in the prison system.
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The boost to court funding will reduce workloads in addition to easing pressures in the South Australian court system – and includes $339,000 for the state’s Youth Court and $939,000 for the Coroner’s Court. Furthermore, almost $1 million will go to managing offenders across South Australia, being spent on 100 electronic monitoring devices.
A total of $624,000 will also be spent on an analysis of supreme and district courts, and the Environment, Resources and Development Court regarding operational requirements.
Steven Marshall, Premier of South Australia, said in a statement: “South Australia is one of the safest and most attractive places in the world to live, work and raise a family.
“SA Budget 2021-22 builds on this momentum and is our plan for a stronger South Australia.
“We will continue to keep South Australians safe and our economy strong.”
Child protection funding has increased from $609 million to $647 million, with several units to be established to protect children, particularly those leaving care and looking for housing.
The Treasurer announced $1.3 million over the next two years for the support of children at risk of being remanded into state custody due to lack of accommodation and will help prevent any further entry into child protection or youth justice systems.
Meanwhile, $42 million over four years will also go towards protecting vulnerable children and young people from neglect and abuse.
Additionally, $134 million over five years will be used to support domestic violence programs, young family support and help victims of domestic and Aboriginal family violence. Extra funding will also be used to support those who complete the Violence Prevention Program for Aboriginal men, and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Program for Aboriginal men.
On top of this, $7.3 million will be used to support the mental health, wellbeing and resilience of the community in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This government is excited about the future for our state and we strongly believe this budget provides the foundation and vision to chart the course of economic recovery and deliver on that future,” Mr Lucas said in Parliament earlier this week.
