NSW election: Labor’s pledges on domestic violence could affect existing services, PBO warns

Parliamentary Budget Office raises concerns that rollout of programs could lead to cutting of initiatives by Legal Aid and police

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Labor’s domestic violence election commitments could “affect the delivery of some services” by Legal Aid and the police, the independent body charged with analysing the cost of both major parties’ promises has warned.

Labor has made a series of commitments on domestic violence in the lead-up to the New South Wales election including funds for a pilot program for specialist sexual violence police in a handful of local areas and the extension of a series of court-advocacy programs.