The CLP Government has committed an additional $1 million in funding for NT Legal Aid in a bid to help manage criminal trial caseloads.
This new money is in addition to their contracted funding from the Attorney-General’s Department.
There has not been a single dollar of funding cut from NT Legal Aid.
The funding comes after Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby recently met with Legal Aid representatives, hearing first-hand how Labor stopped the planned review that would have provided a long-term solution to their funding challenges.
Ms Boothby said as Territorians still felt the hangover from Labor’s failed attempts to get crime under control, it was more important than ever to ensure justice for victims, and offenders were given fair representation.
“We know this mess has been years in the making under three failed Attorneys-General and, as a result, we’re implementing this short-term plan while also working on long-term, sustainable solutions as part of the budget process,” she said.
“Legal Aid NT delivers a critical service, not just for offenders who need representation, but also in achieving outcomes for victims so it is a priority to get this Labor mess sorted, both now and into the future.”
Ms Boothby said just nine weeks into government, the CLP were finding new messes to clean up.
“We value Legal Aid NT and know they are about to get even busier under the CLP Government’s strong on crime agenda, which passed in the recent first sittings of Parliament,” she said.
“The CLP Government will continue to advocate at a national level for needs-based funding for the Territory.”
