Annex — Budget Initiatives

Justice

Community Law Centres - Investment in Case Management and a Clearinghouse

This initiative will provide funding for new and improved community legal services, which will address unmet legal needs and improve access to justice for vulnerable New Zealanders. This initiative will allow for a case management system for all 24 Community Law Centres and a pro-bono clearinghouse. By addressing legal problems early, community law services remove life stressors, alleviate financial concerns, improve wellbeing and provide early intervention benefits.

Delivering the General Election and Referendums in 2020

This initiative will enable the delivery of a well-managed and risk-mitigated General Election in 2020. This includes funding for the Electoral Commission to run the Cannabis referendum. The funding will cover costs relating to enhanced security, personnel, community engagement and other business operating expenditure.

Improved Sustainability of Community Law Centres - Personnel Costs

This initiative provides funding to cover the personnel cost pressures in Community Law Centres, to retain qualified lawyers and ensure vulnerable clients receive free access to legal services. This will improve New Zealanders' access to justice and reduce direct social costs.

Independent Police Conduct Authority - Additional Investment

This initiative will provide funding for the Independent Police Conduct Authority (the Authority) to enable it to consider more comments made on Police's ‘Expression of Dissatisfaction' online form and through the ‘Praise and Complaint' process, which are being notified to the Authority.

Justice Property Health and Safety Remediation

This initiative will invest in upgrading court buildings around New Zealand to improve the experience of attending court, including for victims, participants and employees. It will enable investment in eight of the country's top ten busiest court locations, which require urgent attention to address critical health and safety issues and seismic strengthening work.

Legal Aid - Continuing to Fund Legal Advice and Representation for People Who Need Legal Services

This initiative provides additional funding to cover increasing costs and demand for accessing legal aid. Legal aid is government funding provided to people who need legal help and cannot otherwise afford lawyers. It forms an important part of New Zealand's justice system, as it ensures that people are not denied access to justice based on their financial means.

Maintaining Critical Technology to Ensure the Delivery of Justice Services

This initiative provides funding for maintaining the Ministry of Justice's existing ageing technology and to deliver on its newly refreshed Information and Communications Technology (ICT) strategy, both of which are impacted by increases in volume and prices.

Maintaining the Capability of the Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security

This initiative provides funding for an additional resource that will enable the Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security to develop capability for its key work priorities.

Operation of the Criminal Cases Review Commission

This initiative provides funding for the establishment and ongoing operation of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (the Commission) - an independent Crown Entity, which investigates and reviews suspected miscarriages of justice and refers appropriate cases back to an Appeal Court. The Commission will undertake the role formerly exercised under the Royal prerogative of mercy by the Governor-General, supported by the Ministry of Justice. It will contribute to the timely review of suspected injustices, follow fair and transparent processes and will reach out to New Zealand's most vulnerable. The independence of the entity will help build public confidence in the justice system.

Privacy Commissioner - Being an Effective Modern Privacy Regulator

This initiative provides funding for the Privacy Commissioner to take effective action to keep New Zealanders' personal information safe and ensure New Zealand businesses can operate globally with personal data. Funding will enable the Commissioner to meet new policy components of the Privacy Act 2019.

Provision of Effective Victim Services for Victims of the 15 March Terrorist Attacks

This initiative provides funding for Victim Support to support victims of the 15 March Terrorist Attacks. Funding will ensure Victim Support can provide practical, emotional and financial support to over 1,000 victims of the attacks. This will ensure the victims to receive the same level of support that all victims of serious crime in New Zealand receive, while enabling Victim Support to continue delivering services to all victims across New Zealand.

Provision of Public Information for the 2020 Referendums

This initiative will enable the provision of information to the public relating to referendums, including the Cannabis referendum and End of Life Choice Act 2019 referendum. Funding will enable preparation of public information content and ensure the material is accessible. The funding covers costs for the Electoral Commission to run the End of Life Choice referendum and for monitoring, governance and policy resources for the Ministry of Justice.

Public Trust - Continuing Fiduciary Services to Vulnerable Clients

This initiative provides funding for the Ministry of Justice to purchase services from Public Trust, to meet its obligations to vulnerable clients referred by the courts under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988.

Responding to the 15 March Terror Attacks - Additional Funding

This initiative addresses pressures on the court system resulting from the 15 March Terror Attacks trial. It will cover the costs of fit-out for the accommodation required to move the Public Defence Service out of the Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct, allowing sufficient space for additional staff. It will help ensure minimal disruption to other scheduled court hearings.

Victims Assistance Scheme

This initiative will ensure the victims of the 15 March Terror Attacks receive the same level of support that all victims of serious crime in New Zealand can expect. It will assist the victims of the Terror Attacks to have the practical and emotional support they need to be able to engage with the justice process without being disadvantaged financially.