00:0018 months into the job and already the Director of Public Prosecutions is fed up.
00:09I have described my office as the vehicle through which either justice is achieved or not achieved if you're a victim of crime in Canberra
00:16and presently we are simply not funded to deal with a number of files that are coming into the office.
00:21On top of what Ms Engle describes as the 10 year funding deficit, there's been an exponential increase in prosecutions.
00:29Last financial year the office received 935 fresh family violence matters, a 17% increase on the previous year and a 50% jump from 5 years ago.
00:42249 new sexual violence prosecutions also landed on her desk, a 23% increase on the year before and a 170% jump from 5 years ago.
00:56So I imagine in particular offence categories I'll be saying to the Chief Police Officer, tell me to which matters you wish me to prosecute.
01:01It would be a grave step taken as a last resort, unless the ACT Government steps up soon.
01:09I have certainly seen a commitment from the Attorney General to fix the long-standing funding deficit, but that to date has not been matched with any substantial funding.
01:19Legal Aid ACT's Chief Executive John Borsig knows the feeling. His office is already turning people away due to inadequate funding.
01:28If you want a good justice system, you need to fund it.
01:31Mr Borsig finds the prospect of the DPP doing the same alarming.
01:36From a community point of view and from a justice point of view, we need to ensure that all matters are properly considered.
01:44The union says police will always do their job.
01:47But it does leave a difficult conversation for potential victims who may not have their avenue to justice answered.
01:56Attorney General Tara Chain was unavailable for interview today, but in a statement, a spokesperson said the Government recognises the pressures on the DPP and has made targeted investments to ensure it's adequately resourced.
02:11Adding the Attorney General will continue to engage with Ms Engel on these issues.
Comments