CRIMINAL COURT DELAYS

In reply to the Hon. R.D. LAWSON (16 October 2007).

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning): The Attorney-General has provided the following information:

1. In 2006 I announced the formation of a Criminal Justice Ministerial Taskforce, to be chaired by the Solicitor-General, to address the time taken for committals and trials in the criminal court and to provide leadership in addressing any inefficiencies within the criminal-justice system. An important part of the work of the Taskforce was to address a report prepared by Judge Rice on these matters that had been commissioned by the Chief Justice and the Chief Judge.

The Criminal Justice Taskforce is made up of the leaders or senior representatives of:

Attorney-General's Department

Courts Administration Authority

SAPOL

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

Legal Services Commission

Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement

The S.A. Bar Association

The Law Society of South Australia

Office of the Commissioner for Victims Rights

The Department of Treasury and Finance.

This group has been helped by the attendance of liaison representatives from the judiciary and the Office of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

I have recently received the first report of the Taskforce, with proposed measures for Government consideration. These measures are being costed so that they can be considered by Cabinet.

2. The Criminal Justice Ministerial Taskforce has been most effective in formulating a comprehensive plan improve the criminal justice system and reduce delays in the finalisation of cases. The plan will be submitted to Cabinet soon. None of the measures proposed by the Taskforce can be adopted until they are costed.

3. The Government will announce its adopted reforms after consideration of the Taskforce's proposals and their costs.

4. No.