Historic reforms provide more resources for District and Land Courts
Published Thursday, 23 August, 2007 at 05:52 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
State Parliament unanimously passed historic reforms providing more resources for the busy District Court and Land Court, Attorney-General and Justice Minister Kerry Shine said today.
Mr Shine said the legislation provided for the amalgamation of the Land and Resources Tribunal (LRT) into the Land Court.
“As Attorney-General, I am determined to improve access to our courts, and therefore access to justice, for all Queenslanders,” Mr Shine said.
“The Government has funded an additional Court of Appeal Judge, an additional District Court Judge and two additional Magistrates this year alone.”
“This legislation will mean an additional Judge could be appointed to the District Court and another appointment to the Land Court.”
The District Court has a wide civil and criminal jurisdiction and hears most appeals from the Magistrates Court. It also attends 36 circuit centres, in addition to the places which have a permanent judge.
Mr Shine said the Government had previously extended the jurisdiction of the LRT, ensured Tribunal members were appointed part-time members of the Land Court, and appointed former Tribunal member - Judge Fleur Kingham – to the District Court last year.
Mr Shine said the Land Court and LRT have been co-located for a number of years and share a combined registry.
“As a result of the changes, the Land Court will have more than sufficient resources and personnel with relevant expertise to dispose of mining matters expeditiously to support Queensland’s booming mining sector,” Mr Shine said.
Mr Shine said there would be capacity for the LRT to deal with existing mining tenement applications or certain matters under the Native Title Act 1993 (Commonwealth) to which Alternative State Provisions apply until 31 December 2011.
“The Government is determined to ensure the validity of those rights and interests, and the Tribunal will remain in existence in order to fulfil functions as necessary. Members of the Land Court will be able to sit as members of the tribunal for this purpose,” he said.
The President of the LRT Greg Koppenol will be offered an alternative position on the District Court and the other Tribunal Member Paul Smith will be offered a position on the Land Court.
23 August 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 32396400 or 0418 197 350
kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Mr Shine said the legislation provided for the amalgamation of the Land and Resources Tribunal (LRT) into the Land Court.
“As Attorney-General, I am determined to improve access to our courts, and therefore access to justice, for all Queenslanders,” Mr Shine said.
“The Government has funded an additional Court of Appeal Judge, an additional District Court Judge and two additional Magistrates this year alone.”
“This legislation will mean an additional Judge could be appointed to the District Court and another appointment to the Land Court.”
The District Court has a wide civil and criminal jurisdiction and hears most appeals from the Magistrates Court. It also attends 36 circuit centres, in addition to the places which have a permanent judge.
Mr Shine said the Government had previously extended the jurisdiction of the LRT, ensured Tribunal members were appointed part-time members of the Land Court, and appointed former Tribunal member - Judge Fleur Kingham – to the District Court last year.
Mr Shine said the Land Court and LRT have been co-located for a number of years and share a combined registry.
“As a result of the changes, the Land Court will have more than sufficient resources and personnel with relevant expertise to dispose of mining matters expeditiously to support Queensland’s booming mining sector,” Mr Shine said.
Mr Shine said there would be capacity for the LRT to deal with existing mining tenement applications or certain matters under the Native Title Act 1993 (Commonwealth) to which Alternative State Provisions apply until 31 December 2011.
“The Government is determined to ensure the validity of those rights and interests, and the Tribunal will remain in existence in order to fulfil functions as necessary. Members of the Land Court will be able to sit as members of the tribunal for this purpose,” he said.
The President of the LRT Greg Koppenol will be offered an alternative position on the District Court and the other Tribunal Member Paul Smith will be offered a position on the Land Court.
23 August 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 32396400 or 0418 197 350
kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au