Victims of Crime Payments

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:09): Supplementary question. I thank the Attorney for his answer. In circumstances, Attorney, where all other matters have been exhausted—insurance, etc.—does he contemplate a role for government as a provider of last resort where property damage may have occurred, for example?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:10): As I say, I am happy to go away and have a look at the suggestion the honourable member has made. There are all sorts of reasons, when someone suffers loss, where they may not have insurance that covers their specific needs. I think we would be loath to be a funder of first resort for any sort of claim, but even essentially a funder of last resort would still be, I suspect, a very big financial burden.

As I say, I am happy to go away and contemplate it but I suspect it would still be a very, very significant financial impost across many South Australians because, of course, the victims of crime levy is not just paid when someone is convicted of an indictable offence, for instance: it is paid on expiation notices, so every speeding fine that is issued has a component that has the victims of crime levy on that. I think that would be a big step even as effectively the insurer of last resort; it would still be a government insurance scheme for property damage. I am happy to go away and have a look, but I suspect it would be a very significant financial impost on many, many South Australians.