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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-11-30 Daily Xml
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Court Infrastructure

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (15:04): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Attorney-General regarding the South Australian court infrastructure.

Leave granted.

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO: In the Courts Administration Authority's latest annual report, Chief Justice Chris Kourakis has heavily criticised the condition of South Australia's court infrastructure, suggesting that overall the court infrastructure is in poor condition. Chief Justice Kourakis has said that many of the court buildings do not offer accessible modern facilities to people, such as victims, witnesses, jurors and other court users who are giving up their time to help in the administration of justice. In particular, he singles out people living with a disability and their ability to access the courts, as well as the lack of safe space within the court building for victims. My questions to the Attorney are:

1. Has the Attorney received a briefing from his department on this matter and, if so, when?

2. Does the Attorney agree with the comments made by Chief Justice Kourakis?

3. Does the Attorney intend to consider the resources within the 2024-25 state budget?

4. Finally, does the Attorney believe that the funds currently allocated in the 2023-24 state budget are adequate?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:05): I thank the honourable member for her question. I am very pleased to be able to inform the honourable member that, in our two budgets since coming into government, there has been a multimillion dollar allocation for upgrades and improvements to a variety of court infrastructure, and this comes on top of the $31 million that was provided I think in 2017-18 for our higher courts.

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