As an exemption of performance assessment of the Assistance to Victims of Crime appropriation was granted under s15D (2) (b) (iii) of the Public Finance Act 1989, how will the Minister know if the Criminal Justice Assistance Reimbursement Scheme is resulting in better outcomes for victims, and the doubling of the offender levy is justified?

Answer

The Criminal Justice Assistance Reimbursement Scheme (CJARS) is funded through the Assistance to Victims of Crime appropriation in Vote Courts. Revenue generated from the offender levy does not fund CJARS. I refer you to paragraph 10 of the Regulatory Impact Statement for the offender levy increase for a list of the services the offender levy contributes to funding here: regulation.govt.nz/assets/RIS-Documents/Regulatory-Impact-Statement-Increasing-the-Offender-Levy.pdf While the Assistance to Victims of Crime appropriation is exempt from formal performance measures under section 15D(2)(b)(iii) of the Public Finance Act 1989, this does not limit oversight of the CJARS. I am advised the Ministry of Justice collects information on victims' experiences to inform policy and operational improvements and to support better outcomes for victims. Information is gathered from a range of sources, for example, the annual Crime and Victims Survey and the biennial Court User Survey.