17 Aug 2011

Minister rejects criticism of legal aid changes

5:56 am on 17 August 2011

Justice Minister Simon Power has rejected claims that changes to legal aid will deny some people the right to access justice.

Legislation making it harder to claim legal aid has passed its first reading in Parliament.

The changes include the introduction of an income threshold of $22,000 for some lower level crimes.

A user charge of $100 has been reintroduced for family and civil cases.

And the value of personal possessions, including clothes and furniture, will be taken into account for means testing.

The Labour, Green and Maori parties say many people, including the innocent, will not be able to defend themselves, and could end up in prison.

Mr Power says the changes are needed to rein in ballooning costs and ensure the future of legal aid.