Details budget allocations, caseloads, magistrate allocation, and JP usage for courts in the South West electoral district of WA for 2012-13 and 2014-15. The question seeks transparency and accountability regarding court resources and operations.

AnsweredQoN 1821Legislative Council
Asked
21 October 2014
Portfolio
Attorney General

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the funding of courts in the South West electoral district, and I ask: (a) what is the total budget allocation for each of the following courts in the South West electoral district for 2014-15, and 2012-13: (i) Albany; (ii) Bunbury; (iii) Busselton; (iv) Collie; (v) Mandurah; and (vi) Manjimup; (b) how many cases were heard and completed in each of the courts listed in (a) in 2012-13; (c) how many magistrates are permanently allocated to each of the courts listed in (a) in 2012-13 and 2014-15; (d) which of the courts listed in (a) make use of justices of the peace (JPs) to hear matters before the courts; and (e) in relation to (d), what matters are handled by JPs?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
19 November 2014
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Attorney General
Response time
29 days
(a) The budget allocation for direct costs for each of the courts is:
2014-15  2012-13
(i) $1,403,681  $1,272,083
(ii) $3,000,647  $2,775,140
(iii) $ 656,373  $ 600,670
(iv) $ 275,113  $ 277,885
(v) $1,156,555  $1,097,371
(vi) $ 279,981  $ 283,739
(b) Criminal cases heard in 2012-13 (total number of cases listed and heard, but not necessarily finalised);
(i) 3,335
(ii) 7,251
(iii) 1,878
(iv)  702
(v) 5,456
(vi)  727
Civil cases heard in 2012-13 (total number of cases listed and heard, but not necessarily finalised);
(i) 1,449
(ii) 4,081
(iii) 1,398
(iv)  205
(v) 2,815
(vi)  384
Criminal cases completed (finalised) in 2012-13;
(i) 1,772
(ii) 3,751
(iii) 1,041
(iv)  402
(v) 3,078
(vi)  368
Civil cases completed (finalised) in 2012-13;
(i)765
(ii) 2,359
(iii)898
(iv)  130
(v) 1,805
(vi)  225
(c) In both 2012/13 and 2014/15
(i) One resident magistrate who circuits to Katanning, Narrogin, Gnowangerup and Mt Barker.
(ii)-(iv) Three resident magistrates who circuit on roster to Busselton, Collie, Manjimup, Donnybrook, Bridgetown, Harvey and Margaret River.
(v) One resident magistrate. A Children's Court magistrate from Perth circuits one day a month for arrest and remand matters and one day per month for trials if required.
(vi) Please refer to (ii)-(iv).
(d)
(i) Albany
(ii) Bunbury
(iii) Busselton
(iv) Collie
(v) Mandurah - Justices of the Peace do not sit.
(vi) Manjimup
(e)
(i) Magistrates Court minor traffic matters and interim restraining order applications.
(ii) Magistrates Court minor traffic matters, minor drug matters, minor Criminal Code matters and interim restraining order applications.
(iii) Magistrates Court minor traffic matters, minor drug matters, minor Criminal Code matters and interim restraining order applications.
(iv) Magistrates Court minor traffic matters, minor drug matters, minor Criminal Code matters and interim restraining order applications.
(v) Not applicable.
(vi) Magistrates Court minor traffic matters, minor drug matters, minor Criminal Code matters and interim restraining order applications.

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