Convicted offenders to pay $50 levy under new law

Photo / Bob Harding

All convicted offenders will have to pay a $50 levy under a law passed by Parliament today.

Justice Minister Simon Power says it will collect $13.6 million over the first four years which will be used to help victims of crime.

"Victims of crime have been neglected for too long and this Government is moving to put them at the centre of the justice system," he said after the Sentencing (Offender Levy) Bill was passed by 113 votes to nine.

"The law imposes a $50 levy on all convicted offenders at the point of sentencing in court, which will be collected after reparation and before fines."

The levy will be in addition to any sentence or court order.

Mr Power last week announced eight new entitlements and services for victims of crime that will be funded by the levy.

They are:

* A funeral grant of $4500 to families of homicide victims, on top of the $5500 available through ACC;

* A court attendance grant of $124 per person per day for up to five adult members of a homicide victim's family;

* An increase in the discretionary grant for families of homicide victims suffering financial difficulties, from $1500 to $5000;

* A homicide support service which will provide four paid homicide support co-ordinators to work with Victim Support;

* A court service for victims of sexual violence which will give them access to a trained adviser;

* A grant of $250 towards the expenses incurred as a result of sexual violence, such as replacing clothing collected for forensic evidence;

* Increases in travel, accommodation and childcare assistance for victims attending High Court trials, from $1000 to $3000, and Parole Board hearings, from $500 to $1500; and

* Information resources outlining the court process and support services.

Mr Power said he was confident the entitlements and services would make a real difference in the lives of victims.

"I don't pretend we can take away the pain of victims' loss or injury, but we can help smooth the path to resolution," he said.

- NZPA