Court Backlogs

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (14:32): Supplementary: with respect to longer cases, what tools does the government have available to itself to determine if the courts are operating efficiently?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (14:32): For many years in South Australia, the courts have been independent. They are not a government department or agency. The legislation that established the Courts Administration Authority ensures that. There is a global budget that is provided to the Courts Administration Authority, and it is the Courts Administration Authority that seeks to apply that.

Certainly, I know that the heads of jurisdictions of our various courts are very alive and look for ways to make the delivery of justice as effective and as efficient as possible for the people of South Australia.