2025-2026 NSW BUDGET INVESTMENT INTO NSW CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
The NSW Labor Government has delivered the 2025-2026 NSW Budget, with NSW Treasurer The Hon. Daniel Mookhey MLC presenting his speech before the NSW Legislative Assembly. The NSW Government’s Budget promises funding into the NSW criminal justice system.
WHAT IS THE NSW BUDGET?
The NSW Budget is the NSW Government’s main financial, economic and policy report, which provides a comprehensive update on the fiscal and economic outlook of the state.
The NSW Budget looks ahead to the next four years and has a particular focus on the year ahead, referred to as the Budget year. It outlines how public resources are allocated and managed, details the State’s projected revenue and expenditure and serves as the main vehicle for the NSW Government to implement its policy priorities and commitments.
WHAT FUNDING HAS BEEN ALLOCATED INTO THE NSW CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM?
Half a billion dollars in additional funding has been allocated to a justice system package largely designed to support victim-survivors and increase safety.
Support for victim-survivors
Of the half a billion dollars in Budget funding, an additional $227 million over five years will go towards the Victims’ Support Service, which is a service that supports victim-survivors of violent crime and family members of victims access counselling and financial assistance. It includes help with medical and funeral expenses.
Victim-survivors will benefit from a new $49.4 million hub that is anticipated to open in late 2027 and which will support them in participating in legal proceedings. It will allow witnesses to give evidence remotely via video link, with the purpose of reducing trauma by preventing alleged victim-survivors from being required to be in the same court complex and courtroom as the alleged perpetrator.
$12.8 million in funding will go to support 15 staff within the Child Sexual Offence Evidence Program in order to reduce stress and trauma for child complainants and witnesses in sexual offence proceedings.
Additional Courtrooms
Sydney CBD will receive an additional 15 courtrooms, through a $34.5 million upgrade of the Downing Centre and John Madison Tower. 10 of these will be virtual courtrooms, equipped with audio-visual link facilities to support remote bail hearings. This will reduce delays and speed up remote bail hearings.
Funding for Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has been allocated $48.3 million which will fund additional solicitors for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Funding for Corrective Services NSW
Corrective Services NSW will receive an additional $100.5 million to support the demand in the correctional system.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PREMIER AND MINISTERS ON NSW BUDGET
The NSW Premier The Hon. Chris Minns MP was naturally full of praise for the NSW Government’s 2025-2026 NSW Budget and its investment into the criminal justice system. He stated “This package is about building a safer New South Wales and better protecting victim-survivors.” Meanwhile, the NSW Attorney General The Hon. Michael Daley MP was equally full of praise, stating “These investments ensure we are continuing to prioritise community safety and access to justice through the efficient operation of our court system.”
WHAT IS THE RESPONSE FROM THE NSW OPPOSITION?
The NSW Opposition did not provide an in-depth response to each of the NSW Government’s funding commitments in the field of the criminal justice system, although it did criticise the NSW Budget more broadly as a budget of debt with no discipline.
Opposition Leader The Hon. Mark Speakman MP stated that over the coming 21 months NSW will hear about the NSW Coalition’s detailed policies and plans to achieve a broad range of outcomes, including a justice system that keeps NSW communities safe.
HAVE YOU BEEN ARRESTED OR ACCUSED OF A CRIME?
If you or anyone you know have been accused or charged with a criminal offence, contact our expert criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group immediately for a free consultation so that we may secure the best outcome for you.
Our award-winning team of criminal law experts are nationally recognised for securing bail and obtaining not guilty verdicts, the withdrawal of charges and the avoidance of prison sentences for our clients across NSW who have been charged with serious criminal offences.