Published Monday, 21 July, 2008 at 02:53 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
BLIGH GOVERNMENT DELIVERS FUNDING BOOST TO DPP
The Bligh Government today boosted the budget allocation for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) by almost $21 million over four years.
Premier Anna Bligh said the additional funds took the total ODPP budget for 2008-09 to $39.7 million, a 23% increase on the previous year.
“The ODPP is a fundamental part of our judicial system and is charged with being the voice of Queenslanders in criminal justice system – I want to ensure it is well equipped to be that voice,” Ms Bligh said.
“At the latest State Budget, I made commitment that we would prioritise a review of the resources of the ODPP to ensure it was adequate to meet its increasing workload -
“An increase in the number of judicial appointments since 2004 has meant the demands on the ODPP continue to grow, particularly in regional areas like Cairns and Townsville.
“This fund allocation is a significant increase to allow the ODPP to employ the additional resources it needs to meet this demand.
“It will also better equip the ODPP to prosecute large, major cases,” she said.
Ms Bligh said the new funding would mean that more than $8 million would be allocated in 2008-09, with $4.3 million to be allocated in each of the following three years.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said the funding was a major boost for the ODPP and will assist in establishing a new era for prosecutions in Queensland.
“The new DPP Tony Moynihan SC has only been in his position for a few weeks but has already expressed to me his ideas about potential changes which will improve efficiencies within the ODPP,” Mr Shine said.
“This extra funding is significant but so is ensuring the ODPP runs as efficiently as possible.”
“I will continue to work with Mr Moynihan towards our mutual goal of a strong prosecution service for all Queenslanders.”
Ms Bligh said future funding for the ODPP will be considered as its workload increases.
“Our prosecutions services must keep pace with the increase in the number of cases coming before our courts and we are determined to ensure they have adequate funding to do that.”
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3239 6400 (Minister Shine’s office)
Premier Anna Bligh said the additional funds took the total ODPP budget for 2008-09 to $39.7 million, a 23% increase on the previous year.
“The ODPP is a fundamental part of our judicial system and is charged with being the voice of Queenslanders in criminal justice system – I want to ensure it is well equipped to be that voice,” Ms Bligh said.
“At the latest State Budget, I made commitment that we would prioritise a review of the resources of the ODPP to ensure it was adequate to meet its increasing workload -
“An increase in the number of judicial appointments since 2004 has meant the demands on the ODPP continue to grow, particularly in regional areas like Cairns and Townsville.
“This fund allocation is a significant increase to allow the ODPP to employ the additional resources it needs to meet this demand.
“It will also better equip the ODPP to prosecute large, major cases,” she said.
Ms Bligh said the new funding would mean that more than $8 million would be allocated in 2008-09, with $4.3 million to be allocated in each of the following three years.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said the funding was a major boost for the ODPP and will assist in establishing a new era for prosecutions in Queensland.
“The new DPP Tony Moynihan SC has only been in his position for a few weeks but has already expressed to me his ideas about potential changes which will improve efficiencies within the ODPP,” Mr Shine said.
“This extra funding is significant but so is ensuring the ODPP runs as efficiently as possible.”
“I will continue to work with Mr Moynihan towards our mutual goal of a strong prosecution service for all Queenslanders.”
Ms Bligh said future funding for the ODPP will be considered as its workload increases.
“Our prosecutions services must keep pace with the increase in the number of cases coming before our courts and we are determined to ensure they have adequate funding to do that.”
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3239 6400 (Minister Shine’s office)