In 2011 Victoria Legal Aid posted a $3.1 million deficit which is expected to blow out by $10 million this year.

Michael Holcroft, the president of the Law Institute of Victoria, said that the cost blowout is the result of increasing demands for services which hasn’t been met by government funding.

Mr Holcroft said that as a result of the Baillieu Government’s increased police numbers there has been an increase in the detection of crime, with police statistics showing that crimes against the person have risen by 11.3%, family violence by 37% and drug crimes by more than 20%.

Mr Holcroft said that the government has to fund defence and the courts as well as policing appropriately and that the blowout will limit legal aid services.

For victims of crime support and advice call 1800 000 055 or (03) 9415 9492 or go to www.victimsofcrime.com.au

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