Court Transcripts

In reply to the Hon. C. BONAROS ().21 March 2024).

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): I am advised:

The revenue generated by the fees only partially offsets the costs of providing transcript. Those costs are not limited to producing the electronic or paper copies but extend to the engagement of court reporters who take transcript in real time in court and transcribers who produce transcript from audio visual records of the court proceedings. Fees are invoiced by the CAA and then paid direct to CAA. They are then transferred into a consolidated Department of Treasury and Finance account.

I am advised that transcript is provided free in criminal matters where the accused receives legal aid. Other applications for waivers or remissions of fees may be made to the relevant registry. Powers in the relevant court acts provide for the waiver or reduction of court fees, including transcript fees, 'on account of the poverty of the party by whom the fee is payable or for any other proper reason.'