Quick justice in Queensland

Published Friday, 31 May, 2013 at 06:00 AM

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
The Honourable Jarrod Bleijie

The wheels of justice turn quickly in Queensland with many service areas surpassing their estimated clearance targets.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie said Queenslanders have swift access to justice, compared to other states.

“Data compiled during the State Budget process reveals that in the past year 125 per cent of the expected criminal matters were cleared in the Supreme Court, while civil matters are finalised at a rate of 107 per cent,” Mr Bleijie said.

“In the District Court, criminal cases are being cleared at a rate of 103 per cent per year, while 108 per cent of civil matters are being completed.

“That means court cases are not just finishing on time, the backlog is finally beginning to clear.”

Mr Bleijie said swift and fair justice was a priority for the Newman Government.

“Last year I delivered on a commitment to appoint a new Supreme Court Judge to address the heavy backlog of cases,” he said.

“I have also appointed three extra Magistrates and a new central Queensland Coroner.

“We are well on our way to making Queensland a safer and fairer state.

Other service areas that improved include:

  • Childrens Court (Criminal Law) – 105% clearance rate.
  • Successful Youth Justice community supervision orders – 78% (Original estimate - 76%).
  • Dispute resolution services 
    • Criminal law – 99% (Original estimate - 95%)
    • Civil (voluntary community relations) - 85% (Original estimate - 80%)
  • Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) – 108% (Original estimate - 95%)
    • Overall client satisfaction – 71% (Original estimate - 60%)
  • Victims of crime assistance satisfaction
    • Financial assistance – 84.7% (Original estimate - 70%)
    • LinkUp – 92% (Original estimate - 70%)

[ENDS] 31 May 2013
Media Contact: Ashley McDermid 0412 731 355 or Katherine Hornbuckle 0402 862 351