❓ Hon. Tjorn Sibma questions the Attorney General, via the parliamentary secretary, about the delay in finalising a feasibility study addressing the shortage of criminal trial courtrooms, deemed a 'crisis' by the Law Society. The Attorney General cites the complexity of operational requirements and stakeholder considerations as reasons for the delay.
AnsweredQoN 858Legislative Council
Asked
16 August 2023
Member
Portfolio
parliamentary secretary representing the Attorney General
QuestionView source ↗
JURY TRIAL COURTROOMS — FEASIBILITY STUDY
858. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Attorney General:
I thank the Attorney General for his
answer to my question yesterday concerning the progress, such as it is, of the
feasibility study conducted by the Department of Justice concerning measures to
overcome the growing and unmet demand for criminal trial courtrooms.
(1) With respect, how is this work so complex as to
take two years and counting without any tangible resolution in sight to address
what is agreed to be an acute problem—indeed, a problem that was
initially categorised by the Law Society of Western Australia in the 2021
calendar year as ''a crisis''?
(2) Has the
Attorney set any expectations as to the date by which the finalisation of this
feasibility study should be accomplished; and, if so, what is the date?
858. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Attorney General:
I thank the Attorney General for his
answer to my question yesterday concerning the progress, such as it is, of the
feasibility study conducted by the Department of Justice concerning measures to
overcome the growing and unmet demand for criminal trial courtrooms.
(1) With respect, how is this work so complex as to
take two years and counting without any tangible resolution in sight to address
what is agreed to be an acute problem—indeed, a problem that was
initially categorised by the Law Society of Western Australia in the 2021
calendar year as ''a crisis''?
(2) Has the
Attorney set any expectations as to the date by which the finalisation of this
feasibility study should be accomplished; and, if so, what is the date?
AnswerView source ↗
I
thank the member for some notice of the question. The following answer has been
provided to me by the Attorney General.
(1)–(2) Further
to advice to the member during the Standing Committee on Estimates and
Financial Operations hearing on 26 June
2023, the complexity of this work includes the operational requirements across
numerous sites in the Perth central
business district and how these facilities are currently used. Any potential
solution put to cabinet needs to fully consider the movement of
judiciary and all other participants in the criminal jury trial process. Of
particular importance is the movement of persons in custody. The department is
working to resolve this significant issue as a priority and continues to liaise
with stakeholders.
thank the member for some notice of the question. The following answer has been
provided to me by the Attorney General.
(1)–(2) Further
to advice to the member during the Standing Committee on Estimates and
Financial Operations hearing on 26 June
2023, the complexity of this work includes the operational requirements across
numerous sites in the Perth central
business district and how these facilities are currently used. Any potential
solution put to cabinet needs to fully consider the movement of
judiciary and all other participants in the criminal jury trial process. Of
particular importance is the movement of persons in custody. The department is
working to resolve this significant issue as a priority and continues to liaise
with stakeholders.
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