The Attorney-General, Gordon Ramsay has announced that the ACT Magistrates Court is to be provided with an extra Magistrate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Legal Aid are to receive additional staff members.
Mr Ramsay said the eighth full-time Magistrate would increase access to justice and timeliness in the courts system.
He said the Government had allocated $3.1 million to the courts over the next four years to appoint the additional Magistrate.
“Maintaining a fast and effective justice system that works for all Canberrans is a priority for this Government, especially as the city’s population continues to grow,” Mr Ramsay said.
“An eighth Magistrate means our courts can build on their excellent work from recent years, and also provide the Court with the resources it needs to meet increasing demand for years to come.”
He said the appointment of a new Magistrate would also ease the pressures currently being experienced within the coronial system, and provide more timely justice for the victims of domestic or family violence, among other things.
“The Government expects the appointment of an additional Magistrate, combined with recent amendments to the Coroners Act that have narrowed the focus of the Coroner’s Court and simplified inquest processes, will ease the burden currently being experienced,” Mr Ramsay said.
He said an additional $987,000 had been allocated over four years for the Director of Public Prosecutions to employ additional staff as part of the agreement, while Legal Aid would receive $1.3 million to employ two additional staff members.
“These extra resources will help both Agencies to deal with their increased workload as a result of the appointment of the eighth Magistrate,” Mr Ramsay said.
