❓ Dr. Pettitt's question seeks data on complaints against Family Court staff and the handling of those complaints, revealing concerns about transparency and accountability. The Attorney General's response indicates limited data collection and ongoing efforts to improve judicial oversight.
AnsweredQoN 806Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) In the financial year 2024-25: (a) how many complaints were made against Family Court of Western Australia (FCWA): (i) judicial officers; and (ii) judicial support staff; and (b) on average, how long did it take for these complaints, in (a)(i) and (a)(ii), to be resolved? (2) How are FCWA complaints investigated, and is there an independent oversight body that investigates complaints made against FCWA judicial officers and support staff? (3) If no to (2), why not? (4) Are complaints within the FCWA treated as confidential? (5) If yes to (4): (a) what safeguards are in place to ensure the identity of the complainant is protected, particularly in circumstances where the complaint is sensitive in nature and disclosure could pose a risk to the complainant’s safety; and (b) what accountability measures exist if FCWA staff breach the confidentiality of a complaint and what support is offered to the complainant? (6) If no to (4), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 December 2025
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General
Response time
7 days
(1) (a) – (b)
(i) Formal complaints against judicial officers are dealt with in accordance with the Protocol for Complaints Against Judicial Officers in Western Australian Courts (the Protocol). Neither the Department of Justice nor the Attorney General have access to data regarding complaints made about judicial officers based in the Family Court of Western Australia (FCWA) under the Protocol.
(ii) The Department of Justice does not keep statistics on the number of complaints received for judicial support staff based in the FCWA.
(2) Complaints about judicial officers are dealt in accordance with the Protocol for Complaints Against Judicial Officers in Western Australian Courts .
Judicial support staff are required to adhere to the Department of Justice’s Code of Conduct, which is aligned to the Public Sector Code of Ethics. Alleged breaches are investigated in line with the Department of Justice’s policies and procedures.
(3) The Cook Labor Government is working towards the establishment of a Judicial Commission to deal with complaints against judicial officers.
Serious complaints or allegations about support staff may be referred to the Department of Justice’s People, Culture and Standards Division for independent investigation.
(4) Complaints that are responded to by the FCWA Chief Judge or Principal Registrar are treated as confidential. If the complaint relates to information relevant to proceedings, the other party may be copied into the response to the complainant.
Complaints regarding FCWA support staff are treated as confidential.
(5)
(a) Complaints are dealt with confidentially by senior staff members.
(b) Breaches of confidentiality can be referred to the Department of Justice’s People, Culture and Standards Division for investigation and appropriate action.
(6) Refer to the response at Question 4.
(i) Formal complaints against judicial officers are dealt with in accordance with the Protocol for Complaints Against Judicial Officers in Western Australian Courts (the Protocol). Neither the Department of Justice nor the Attorney General have access to data regarding complaints made about judicial officers based in the Family Court of Western Australia (FCWA) under the Protocol.
(ii) The Department of Justice does not keep statistics on the number of complaints received for judicial support staff based in the FCWA.
(2) Complaints about judicial officers are dealt in accordance with the Protocol for Complaints Against Judicial Officers in Western Australian Courts .
Judicial support staff are required to adhere to the Department of Justice’s Code of Conduct, which is aligned to the Public Sector Code of Ethics. Alleged breaches are investigated in line with the Department of Justice’s policies and procedures.
(3) The Cook Labor Government is working towards the establishment of a Judicial Commission to deal with complaints against judicial officers.
Serious complaints or allegations about support staff may be referred to the Department of Justice’s People, Culture and Standards Division for independent investigation.
(4) Complaints that are responded to by the FCWA Chief Judge or Principal Registrar are treated as confidential. If the complaint relates to information relevant to proceedings, the other party may be copied into the response to the complainant.
Complaints regarding FCWA support staff are treated as confidential.
(5)
(a) Complaints are dealt with confidentially by senior staff members.
(b) Breaches of confidentiality can be referred to the Department of Justice’s People, Culture and Standards Division for investigation and appropriate action.
(6) Refer to the response at Question 4.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.