Victoria's justice system will get a near-$250 million shot in the arm for more judges, magistrates, prosecutors and a new court.
Tuesday's state budget will include $128.9 million to increase court capacity, including a new Supreme Court judge, two new County Court judges and 18 new magistrates.
Of those new magistrates, three will work a new bail and remand court, due to start operation in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday.
"The new specialised bail and remand court builds on the sweeping changes we have already made to strengthen our bail system," Attorney-General Martin Pakula said.
The move is in line with a key recommendation from Justice Paul Coghlan's bail review, conducted after Melbourne's fatal Bourke Street rampage.
The specialist court expands the current night operations to include key support services such as Victoria Police prosecutors, Legal Aid, Protective Services Officers, Community Correctional Services and the Court Integrated Services Program.
The court will run 10am to 9pm seven days a week, with day and evening sittings.
Another $97 million has been put aside for new police prosecutors, extra staff to establish the Bail and Remand Court and meet demand in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court.
The budget will also provide a further $21.8 million for Office of Public Prosecutions recruitment and support for some of the most serious criminal cases.
"Our record investment in new police officers and tougher bail, sentencing and parole laws mean that more people are coming before the justice system, and being held to account," Mr Pakula said.
This year's election will have a massive law and order focus and the government has already announced a $689.5 million new maximum security prison and $115 million for police and crime prevention.
Greater spending on the the courts system was a top priority of the Law Institute of Victoria in its pre-budget submission.
"Victoria's courts need to be better funded to deal with the backlog of cases," the Institute submitted.
"Sufficiently funding the courts and providing extra resources accommodates the needs of the public and improves efficiency and public satisfaction in the judicial system. This reduces issues in relation to overcrowded prisons and police holding cells."
