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❓ Question regarding delays in the District Court impacting bail decisions in child abuse material cases, and the Attorney General's awareness and response to this issue. The AG acknowledges judicial discretion but avoids committing to an analysis.

AnsweredQoN 105Legislative Council

Asked

30 April 2025

Member

Hon Nick Goiran

Portfolio

Attorney General

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the recent matter of Shaun Henry Ronan, who is facing multiple charges related to soliciting, possessing and transmitting child abuse material, and in particular, Magistrate Walton's comment that "a lengthy delay of two to three years in the District Court was possible for these matters, which is why bail was usually granted', and I ask: (a) when did the Attorney General first become aware of Magistrate Walton's comment; (b) has the Attorney General's office conducted any analysis to verify whether delayed trials in the District Court are indeed a common reason why bail is granted in such cases; and (c) if no to (b), will the Attorney General arrange for such an analysis to be conducted?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

17 June 2025

Responded by

Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General

Response time

8 days

(a) – (b) In accordance with the Bail Act 1982, judicial officers have the power to consider the question of bail throughout the criminal process. In determining whether bail will be granted, Magistrates exercise their judicial judgement on a case-by-case basis and weigh up a range of considerations.
(c) The reasons for each judicial determination are not recorded. It would therefore require extensive, manual effort to conduct an analysis of these decisions.

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