Eighteen Hong Kong and Indonesian nationals accused of attempting to smuggle 400 kilograms of heroin into Australia are to be given up to A$1 million (HK$4.9 million) in legal aid, it was revealed yesterday.
The money will be diverted from funds allotted to the family court system and will renew a long-running controversy over cuts to legal aid.
The New South Wales Legal Aid Commission has had its federal budget cut by A$12.9 million, forcing it to reduce legal assistance for those who require representation in court. Using its dwindling financial resources for the defence of alleged foreign drug smugglers will worsen the problem.
Under Australia's legal system, New South Wales, where the defendants were arrested, is obliged to give legal representation to anyone charged with a criminal offence.
Part of the money will be spent on interpreters for the seven Hong Kong Chinese and 11 Indonesians, who do not speak English.
Representation in court is likely to cost more than A$2,000 a day for each defendant.
