The Hon. AMANDA FAZIO: My question without notice is addressed to the Attorney General. What is the latest information on mini-budget initiatives as they relate to the Attorney General's Department?

The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: As part of the mini-budget reforms for the Attorney General's Department the Government will double the victims compensation levy that must be paid by offenders; reduce red tape for victims who want to claim compensation; provide funding for an extra 14 lawyers for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions; increase the hearing fee for litigants, such as large commercial companies who use the New South Wales Supreme Court to resolve their civil disputes; and merge the Public Trustee and the Office of the Protective Commissioner to increase efficiency. These important reforms will enhance and protect front-line services, reduce red tape and bring New South Wales into line with other jurisdictions. The current levy of $70 for offenders convicted of serious offences and $30 for less serious offences has not increased for 11 years. It will be doubled and linked to the consumer price index.

We also will streamline the compensation claim process by reducing instances where legal fees are paid. Approximately 50 per cent of cases are straightforward and can be dealt with by Victims Services staff without additional resources. However, a small number of law firms are responsible for a large number of claims. For example, in 2007-08 one firm filed over 20 per cent of all claims for victims compensation and was paid $862,683 in legal costs. The changes will simplify the application process for victims and reduce the amount of information they have to provide. An additional $5 million per year will be raised by increasing offender levies and cutting red tape for victims lodging a claim.

The mini-budget is designed to protect other front-line services. In relation to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions we not only are protecting front-line services, we are enhancing them. The 14 additional lawyers provided for in the mini-budget will be located in the following locations to meet workload demands: 4 additional lawyers in Sydney; 4 additional lawyers in western Sydney at Campbelltown, Parramatta and Penrith; and 5 additional lawyers in country offices at Dubbo, Gosford, Lismore, Newcastle and Wagga Wagga. The Government will fund the positions for two years from 1 January 2009 at a cost of $1.4 million per annum. In the meantime, the new Executive Director of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, who commenced on 28 October 2008, will work to ensure resources are deployed more effectively and evenly so that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will be in a position to fund the position itself. This position was created on the recommendation of the New South Wales Auditor-General to ensure wise spending.

In another important initiative the Government will increase the hearing fee for litigants, such as large commercial companies who use the New South Wales Supreme Court to resolve their civil disputes. The fee will increase from $255 to $345 per half day of court time and from $510 to $690 per full day of court time. The Government recognises that Sydney is considered to be a centre of excellence for commercial law. However, the Government also recognises that taxpayers should not have to bear an excessive financial burden as a result of this excellent reputation. This change will mean that the costs imposed by New South Wales will be brought into line with those that apply to the Federal Court. Another mini-budget initiative is to merge the Public Trustee and the Office of the Protective Commissioner to improve services, increase efficiency and reduce bureaucracy. It is part of our commitment to eliminate duplication in departmental budgets. Every other Australian jurisdiction has a single entity dealing with the functions of the Public Trustee and the Protective Commissioner. Efficiency improvements from merged back-office functions will yield savings of over $100,000 a year. These mini-budget initiatives relating to the Attorney General's Department are important reforms aimed at reducing red tape and bringing New South Wales into line with best practice in other jurisdictions whilst enhancing and protecting front-line services. [Time expired.]