Today’s NSW Budget risks leaving the physical and digital infrastructure of the state’s courts as a relic of the past without sufficient funding for a modern justice system.
President of the Law Society of NSW Ronan MacSweeney said this year’s budget was a lost opportunity to inject much needed investments into a fit-for-purpose court system and fair access to justice in NSW, but added that the significant investment in domestic and family violence services needs to be matched by safe facilities in courts.
“The Law Society recognises that the Treasurer has delivered the 2026-27 Budget in the midst of ‘global conflict, supply-chain disruption and an energy shock’. However, our members will be disappointed that the court system was allocated a meagre share of the $116.7 billion in state infrastructure investments through to 2030,” Mr MacSweeney said.
“The previously announced enhancements to the Downing Centre are welcome, as are more resources for the Industrial Relations Commission and Land and Environment Court. Likewise, the significant investments in the state’s integrity agencies represent a positive step.
“But the state’s courthouses, particularly in communities away from major centres, are in dire need of upgrades, including safe rooms for victims of violent crime and more audio-visual link (AVL) facilities.”
Mr MacSweeney called for a publicly available long term strategic access to justice plan for NSW which provides for long-term justice infrastructure and sustainable and certain resourcing arrangements for legal assistance funding. His letter to Attorney General Michael Daley can be found here.
“I was surprised however, that the recurrent funding for Legal Aid NSW appears to have been cut by $23.8 million (3.6 percent) over the previous year at a time when it’s more important than ever that vulnerable people have access to fair legal assistance,” Mr MacSweeney said.
“As we look forward to next year’s state election, The Law Society is committed to raising public awareness of these issues, as illustrated by the launch of a campaign at last week’s Regional Justice Summit at Orange.”
Mr MacSweeney said the campaign also includes a call for updated digital infrastructure in NSW courts and tribunals but noted that this Budget allocated only $3.0 million ‘to modernise court technology’. At the same time, the Budget allocated $108.8 million to the NSW Police Force for the ‘newest technology and upgrades’.
“We understand the need for this level of investment in the police, but inconsistent funding across the justice system creates bottlenecks that manifest in court delays and overcrowding in custody,” Mr MacSweeney said.
“Modern, well equipped courts system are central to ensuring the maintenance of public confidence in the justice system and the strengthening of the rule of law.”
Mr MacSweeney said that this Budget remained silent on the much needed and long heralded South West Sydney Justice Precinct in Campbelltown.
“As the Aerotropolis takes shape around Western Sydney International Airport, I note that the Budget statement for Western Sydney provides for planning, building or upgrading 13 schools and five hospitals, with no mention of courts, which are no less crucial to the functioning of a community.”
Mr MacSweeney also noted funding for upgrades to Youth Justice Centres including ‘to address rising custody demand’.
“The Law Society accepts that community safety will require that in extreme cases some young people be deprived of their liberty. But I urge the Government to make more investments into early intervention and diversion programs that address the underlying drivers of anti-social and criminal conduct of young people.”
Mr MacSweeney welcomed new funding to assist First Nations people across a number of categories, including further delivery of Closing the Gap commitments, investments to improve housing in Aboriginal communities, and the funding to help families at risk of having children placed in out of home care.
