Wellington, Oct 17 NZPA - Some said it was not enough, but victims' rights campaigners mostly thought the Government was moving in the right direction in bringing in compensation for victims of serious crime and their families.

Justice Minister Simon Power announced the new measures yesterday.

They include financial support to help the families of homicide victims cover funeral and other costs and attend court proceedings.

Additional support will also be available for victims of sexual violence and other serious crime.

Lesley Elliott, mother of Sophie Elliott, who was murdered last year, said it was a "good first step."

Sophie's former boyfriend Clayton Weatherston was convicted of her murder after a five week trial earlier this year. He has since appealed the conviction.

Mrs Elliott said Sophie's death and the following court proceedings had put a huge financial burden on her family with the whole ordeal costing them tens of thousands of dollars. "It's tough, but you don't think about it at the time, it's only now we're starting to realise what it has cost us."

The new changes would have been a huge help, she said.

"We're really pleased that they have moved in this direction. It's been long overdue."

Victim Support chief executive Tony Paine said the measures were good in the current economic environment, while Sensible Sentencing Trust national spokesman Garth McVicar said Mr Power's announcement was an acknowledgement and a start.

But Paul Kuchenbecker, whose son was killed by Graeme Burton in hills near Lower Hutt in January 2007 while Burton was on parole, said the measures were not enough.

Families should be given $50,000 up front, similar to what was offered in New South Wales, to pay for funeral and associated costs and other financial burdens that arose from a murdeer, Mr Kuchenbecker said.

"I know it's not all about money but at the same it takes the stress off that person, who is grieving already, to not have to worry about financial problems."

Other measures included:

* Families of homicide victims being able to receive $124 a day for up to five adult members to attend High Court proceedings;

* An additional funeral grant of up to $4500, on top of the $5500 available from ACC;

* Families of homicide victims being able to receive $124 a day for up to five adult members to attend High Court proceedings;

* Increasing the discretionary grant for families suffering financial difficulties from $1500 to $5000;

* Sexual violence victims will be eligible for a grant of $250 for one-off expenses incurred as a result of the violence, such as to replace items of clothing;

* Other victims of serious crime will receive financial assistance to help them travel to court proceedings (up from $1000 to $3000) and Parole Board hearings (up from $500 to $1500);

The initiatives will be introduced between this November and July next year.

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