Simon Power. Pic: NZPA

Wellington, May 21 NZPA - The budget will provide $2.3 million to set up the new offender levy, Justice Minister Simon Power said today.

The $50 levy will be imposed on all convicted offenders when they are sentenced. Legislation to enact it is being processed by Parliament.

The money will go into a fund to help victims meet costs linked with crimes committed against them.

Mr Power said $1m of the $2.3m would be for operating costs and $1.3m for the collection process.

Most of the money is coming from the remaining budget allocation for the Sentencing Council and the Justice Advisory Board, which National disbanded.

Mr Power said the levy was forecast to collect $13.6 million in the first four years.

"We want to put victims of crime at the centre of the justice system," he said.

"Victims have been neglected for far too long, and this levy will help address the financial costs that fall on them and ensure that offenders contribute to addressing the harm they cause."