English dips into Budget 2017 for $503m crime-fighting package including legal aid, district court funding

English dips into Budget 2017 for $503m crime-fighting package including legal aid, district court funding
Sophie Boot
By Sophie Boot Feb. 3 (BusinessDesk) - Legal aid, district courts and corrections staff funding will all receive a boost from Prime Minister Bill English's 'Safer Communities' funding package. The $503 million package, announced yesterday by English in his state of the nation address, includes $51 million for courts and $64 million for corrections over four years. The money is a pre-commitment against Budget 2017, English's office said. The package will cost $59.4 million in its first year, increasing to $100.4 million by 2019 and $195.9...