❓ Hon. Tjorn Sibma asks about options to expedite criminal trials given delays and courtroom constraints. The Attorney General's response disputes the premise of worsening delays but outlines ongoing feasibility studies and judicial appointments.
AnsweredQoN 936Legislative Council
Asked
30 August 2023
Member
Portfolio
parliamentary secretary representing the Attorney General
QuestionView source ↗
JURY
TRIAL COURTROOMS — FEASIBILITY STUDY
936. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Attorney General:
Noting continued and worsening delays in the administration
of justice in Western Australia, I ask the following.
(1) Has the
state government investigated any options to assist in expediting time to trial
for criminal cases within present accommodation constraints while work
continues on the Department of Justice's feasibility study into the
construction of new criminal trial courtrooms?
(2) If yes to (1), what are these options?
TRIAL COURTROOMS — FEASIBILITY STUDY
936. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Attorney General:
Noting continued and worsening delays in the administration
of justice in Western Australia, I ask the following.
(1) Has the
state government investigated any options to assist in expediting time to trial
for criminal cases within present accommodation constraints while work
continues on the Department of Justice's feasibility study into the
construction of new criminal trial courtrooms?
(2) If yes to (1), what are these options?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the Attorney
General.
(1)–(2) The government does not accept the premise
of the opening statement to the member's questions. However , in
relation to time to trial, as per the answer to the member's questions
of 17 August 2023—see question without notice 884—the
government is currently undertaking a feasibility study into the operational requirements across numerous sites in the Perth
central business district and how these facilities are currently used.
In addition, since 2018, the Cook Labor government has supported an additional
7.5 judicial officers in the District Court, and, specifically, since 2021, the
newly created justice pipeline model contributed 3.5 of the 7.5 judicial officers. Other opportunities to reduce the time
to trial that fall within the control of the District Court include, but
are not limited to, case management of matters by the judiciary, the court and
the legal profession working together on complex issues impacting the
availability of counsel and other key trial participants, and an over-listing
practice.
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the Attorney
General.
(1)–(2) The government does not accept the premise
of the opening statement to the member's questions. However , in
relation to time to trial, as per the answer to the member's questions
of 17 August 2023—see question without notice 884—the
government is currently undertaking a feasibility study into the operational requirements across numerous sites in the Perth
central business district and how these facilities are currently used.
In addition, since 2018, the Cook Labor government has supported an additional
7.5 judicial officers in the District Court, and, specifically, since 2021, the
newly created justice pipeline model contributed 3.5 of the 7.5 judicial officers. Other opportunities to reduce the time
to trial that fall within the control of the District Court include, but
are not limited to, case management of matters by the judiciary, the court and
the legal profession working together on complex issues impacting the
availability of counsel and other key trial participants, and an over-listing
practice.
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