Extra support for busy SE Queensland courts

State Parliament has passed laws today allowing the Queensland Government to establish a trial to alleviate the workloads in busy Magistrate Courts in the State’s south-east.

Attorney-General and Justice Minister Kerry Shine said Parliament passed laws to appoint four judicial registrars to work in the Brisbane, Southport and Beenleigh Magistrates Courts.

Mr Shine said the initiative would proceed, despite attempts by the National and Liberal parties to block the law changes required to introduce the pilot program.

“The registrars will be appointed to take part in a two-year judicial registrar pilot starting in January next year,” Mr Shine said.

“The Government has committed $2.4 million for the pilot to deliver justice services and modern court facilities for all Queenslanders.”

Mr Shine said judicial registrars will be authorised to hear some of the more straight-forward matters that currently need to be determined by magistrates.

“These courts are some of the busiest in our State and they are getting busier,” Mr Shine said.

Last financial year (2005-06), the total defendants appearing in Brisbane (31,980), Southport (16,357) and Beenleigh (10,187) Magistrate Courts accounted for 65,999, 31,631 and 21,653 charges respectively.

“The Queensland Government has recognised the increased workload for Magistrates and over the last three years, an additional five Magistrates have been appointed.”

“By allowing judicial registrars to deal with minor matters we can free up our magistrates to focus on more complex and contested cases.”

Mr Shine said he could not understand why the Opposition would not support this important pilot project to further enhance the administration of justice in Queensland.

“The Government has a clear commitment to an open, fair and accessible justice system for all Queenslanders. The Opposition has once again demonstrated it does not share that commitment,” Mr Shine said.

23 August 2007

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Mr Shine’s office) 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350 kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au