$24.3m funds boost for DPP

The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has received a $24.3 million funding boost from the state government, enabling the employment of 42 additional prosecutors.

The DPP’s 2005-06 budget of $14.4 million will rise by $3.8 million to $18.2 million, while next year’s budget will rise $6.6 million, from $15.1 million to $21.8 million.

The funding will allow for an increase in the number of prosecutors at the DPP from 63 to 105, including three senior state prosecutors and a director of legal services, a position left vacant with the departure of Fiona Low in August.

Ms Low’s old position will be split in two – one person to run the legal operations and another to run the business side of the DPP.

DPP Robert Cock QC said he was extremely happy with the funding increase and expected to recruit lawyers from Western Australia, interstate and overseas.

Attorney-General Jim McGinty said the additional staff would provide the DPP with the resources to prepare and present cases more effectively, which would lead to more successful trial outcomes.

“This will reduce the number of trial delays and clear the backlog of cases in the courts, creating a more efficient judicial system,” Mr McGinty said.

He said the Confiscations Unit would be fully funded from the Confiscations Proceeds Account.

“The unit will now be able to employ an additional lawyer and two paralegals, further strengthening the unit’s powers to pursue criminals who have profited from their crimes.”