VICTIMS OF CRIME FUND

60 Mrs REDMOND (Heysen) (31 July 2007).

(a) why is there a significant increase in the budget line 'Intra-government Transfers—levies from fines and penalties' in 2007-08;

(b) why is the budget line 'Fees, Fines and Penalties—levies from fines and penalties' discontinued in 2007-08; and

(c) why will the total budgeted income relating to the Fund exceed the total operating payments in 2007-08?

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON (Croydon—Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Multicultural Affairs): I have been advised:

(a) The increase in the budget line 'Intra Government Transfers—Victims of CrimeFund—levies from fines and penalties' in 2007-08 is mainly owing to an increase in the Victims of Crime (VOC) levies from 1 July 2007.

The VOC levy had previously been increased on 1 January 2003.

The greater burden on criminal offenders is consistent with the government's stance to get tough on criminals and at the same time advance victims' rights.

This revenue will help fund the government's pledges to improve services to victims of crime. Pledges made by the Rann Government include:

Creating a new, independent office of the Commissioner for Victims' Rights. We are the first state to do so and second only to the United Kingdom.

More than doubling grief payments to family victims of homicide. Currently, families receive as little as $3,000 for the death of a family member. All payments will be increased to $10,000 to match the payments from the Motor Accident Commission for compensable road deaths.

Reimbursement costs for the funerals of victims will increase from $5,000 to $7,000.

(b) The budget line 'Fees, Fines and Penalties—levies from fines and penalties' is discontinued as this item has been reclassified to the budget line 'Intra Government Transfers—Victims of Crime Fund—levies from fines and penalties'.

(c) Total budgeted income relating to the VOC. Fund was budgeted to exceed total operating payments in 2007-08 mainly owing to the increase in the Victims of Crime levy effective from 1 July 2007.