Tighter rules on legal fund

AUSTRALIANS in legal strife overseas will find it tougher to get taxpayer-funded legal aid under strict new rules introduced after a paedophile got $500,000 to fund his defence.

Attorney-General Christian Porter says only Australians who are facing the death penalty overseas will be able to access the Serious Overseas Criminal Matters Scheme.

The changes are being introduced after paedophile Peter Scully used the scheme to claim more than $500,000 while on trial in The Philippines. Scully was found guilty of five counts of rape in June.