Courts Precinct

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (11:45): My question is to the Attorney-General. Can the Attorney-General tell the house how the government is meeting current and future demands for the state's court system?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Child Protection Reform, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for Consumer and Business Services, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:50): Can I thank the member for Torrens for her question. Yes, the courts' operations are presently in a significant period of change due to a number of factors, including but not limited to technological developments and changes in digital technology and the implementation of a new court system such as audiovisual links and the virtual courts, which will make our courts more flexible in the future and reduce the demand for physical infrastructure.

The state government has a long-term vision to achieve the accommodation requirements for our court system and to enable flexibility in modern court infrastructure to integrate these technological advancements. The state government budget, which has just been the subject of comment by the Treasurer and the Premier, in fact sets aside some $31 million in years 2017-18 for redevelopment of the city courts precinct. Can I say, that's most welcome—most welcome indeed. I say that to the Treasurer again: most welcome, the allocation of funding.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis: It was your advocacy.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Well, thank you, Treasurer, for listening. It is a delight when one is able to sit down with the Treasurer and have a conversation like this and he understands the needs of the sector.

The SPEAKER: I call the Deputy Premier to order.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Seven existing civil courtrooms and courtroom 18 in the Samuel Way building will be upgraded to create two additional jury courtrooms, and the displaced civil courts will be absorbed within existing underutilised courtrooms in the Supreme Court facility. A portion of the existing Supreme Court building will also be refurbished to provide fit-for-purpose accommodation. This will address the need for additional jury courtrooms.

Works are expected to occur over the 2017-18 and 2018-19 years and are expected to create up to 60 jobs during the construction phase. Additional operational funding of $1.5 million per annum is also provided for, from 2019-2020, to support the operation of the additional jury courtrooms, including sheriff's costs, juror costs and court transcription services. This will enable future flexibility in the delivery and location of court facilities and it allows for future requirements to be scoped.

The funding announced in this budget provides flexibility in the future and will allow multiple further options for the long term to be assessed, and that is an ongoing process, again where, I am delighted to say, the Treasurer has been involved in a delightful way, too. The project will be delivered in consultation with the Courts Administration Authority and the judiciary, with whom the Treasurer is in constant contact, to ensure services can continue during the relevant redevelopment.

Ms Sanderson interjecting:

The SPEAKER: How many times have I warned the member for Adelaide today?

The Hon. T.R. Kenyon: Four or five, actually.

The SPEAKER: The member for Newland is correct. The member for Schubert.