Newman Government stands by JP proposal

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie has today slammed Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk for her comments on the Government’s JP (Magistrates Court) proposal.

Mr Bleijie said the Newman Government went to the election with a commitment to trial an extension of the JP (Magistrates Court) scheme for minor civil disputes in QCAT.

“It would seem the Opposition Leader is again talking on matters she clearly knows nothing about,“ Mr Bleijie said.

“I would recommend the Opposition Leader get her facts right before she publicly denigrates Queensland JPs by suggesting they are not up to a job in QCAT.

“Unlike the Labor Party, the Newman Government recognises the important volunteer role JPs perform in administrating our laws and delivering justice services across Queensland.

“Reports suggesting that JPs with no legal training will be taking the place of lawyers and magistrates in QCAT are simply incorrect.

“Currently, both senior and ordinary QCAT members can either be practising lawyers or have extensive knowledge, expertise or experience in the types of matters before the tribunal.”

Mr Bleijie said JPs (Magistrates Court) are already being used to hear minor matters across regional and remote Queensland.

“Our proposal would simply mean bringing this concept from the country to the coast as an opportunity to revitalise front line justice services,” he said.

“The pilot program will utilise the skills of JP (Magistrates Court) to come up with common sense solutions to minor disputes of less than $3000 in QCAT.

“This will take the pressure off our overloaded court system by freeing up magistrates and QCAT adjudicators who can be better utilised to deal with more complex matters.

“The JPs who put their hand up to participate in this trial will be given additional training to ensure they are armed with the necessary skills.

“To suggest we are going to throw the JPs into the deep end with no training is ridiculous.

“This is a carefully considered proposal and certainly not a band-aid approach to addressing the backlogs in the system.”

Media contact: Lisa O’Donnell – 0400 986 432