Question Time

COURT FACILITIES

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:22): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of the Government, representing the Premier, a question about the Supreme Court.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Yatala, Cadell and Port Augusta prisons are not nice places to be, but more than a few reluctant guests at these establishments owe their incarceration to the good work and diligence of respected prosecutor Geraldine Davison.

It was more than 20 years ago that Ms Davison joined the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. By 1999, she was handling complex criminal trials. She managed the DPP's committal unit. She helped other lawyers gain more academic experience, and when she left the DPP, she joined Carrington Chambers, handling prosecution briefs and defence cases.

So, it was no surprise to Adelaide's legal fraternity when Supreme Court Chief Justice John Doyle announced last month that Ms Davison had been selected from a field of 17 candidates to be raised to silk. In fact, she is the only person appointed as Senior Counsel this year.

The ceremony was held this morning down at the Supreme Court, with Justice Margaret Nyland officiating. Why did the Chief Justice not officiate? He could not because, as we have told this chamber, he is temporarily in a wheelchair, and because he is temporarily in a wheelchair he cannot preside from the bench. Not one courtroom in the Supreme Court building has wheelchair access for judges.

And in what court was this morning's ceremony? Court 12, of course. Why Court 12? Because it is the one and only court in the Supreme Court building which has wheelchair access for spectators. My questions to the Premier are:

1. Is it true that one of the observers at this morning's ceremony was John Robert Rau?

2. Is this the same John Robert Rau who holds the position of Deputy Premier and Attorney-General of South Australia?

3. If it is true, is it true that at the start of this morning's ceremony the Hon. John Robert Rau was officially asked to pass on to the Premier the court's displeasure over the appalling conditions?

4. Has John Robert Rau passed that message on to the Premier?

5. When will this and other disgraces at the Supreme Court building, like the antiquated IT system, the lack of conference rooms, waiting rooms and toilets be fixed?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (14:25): I thank the member for his questions and will refer them to the appropriate ministers in another place and bring back a response.