Millions for Dutch MH17 prosecution effort

Australian families of passengers killed when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine will be hoping a budget boost could help Dutch prosecutors bring the perpetrators to justice.

This year's federal budget allocates $50.3 million over four years to support the Dutch national prosecution of those responsible for the mid-2014 attack.

It's believed rebels connected to Russia were behind the downing which claimed 38 Australian lives on July 17.

The funding will "meet Australia's share of the prosecution costs and assist family members of the victims participate in the court proceedings", the 2018/19 budget papers state.

The funding will also keep Australia's embassy in Kiev open.