George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Peris, what the government is going to do about that is what this government has always done—and that is to focus the Commonwealth's contribution—the Commonwealth's resources—on where they are needed most. That is always what it has been our intention to do.

Senator Peris, I am able to tell you, incidentally, that the four-year spend on the Family Violence Prevention Legal Services program to which you referred in your primary question will be $3.657 million. And—as I said in answer to the primary question—I of all people, who have throughout my professional career been a very strong advocate of access to justice, am very sorry that there is not more money in the system to spend. But if you ask yourself the question, Senator Peris, 'and who is at fault because there is not as much money available as we would wish there to be?'—don't look on this side of the chamber. Look among your own!