A dedicated coroner for the ACT is to be appointed to strengthen the delivery of justice to the community and elp reduce court waiting lists.
Announced by Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury, the additional Special Magistrate is to be included in the Territory Budget to be unveiled on 29 October.
“Establishing a dedicated Coroner in the ACT will be a significant change to current practice where eight different magistrates undertake coronial matters as part of their regular, heavy workloads,” Mr Barr said.
“A dedicated coroner can better understand and meet the needs of the bereaved families and friends involved in inquests by providing better support and reducing the likelihood of them suffering more trauma through a protracted coronial process,” he said.
Mr Rattenbury said a dedicated ACT coroner would reduce delays for bereaved family, friends and witnesses involved in inquests, and allow a more consistent, restorative approach to coronial proceedings.
“The pain felt by families who have lost a loved one to an unexpected death should not have to endure an agonising, and quite frankly, traumatic wait for a coronial inquiry,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“As well as reducing the wait times for coronial cases to be resolved, a dedicated coroner will ensure families and friends are better supported throughout the difficult process,” he said.
Mr Rattenbury said he hoped the reform would benefit families for years to come.
Chief Magistrate of the ACT, Lorraine Walker welcomed the announcement saying the appointment would provide an opportunity to develop a more structured and streamlined approach to the jurisdiction.
