Page 391 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 10 February 2021
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MS LAWDER: Is the women’s caucus already failing in its goal of advancing full participation of women and girls in all aspects of our society by excluding Liberal women MLAs?
Members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Members! Mr Hanson and Mr Barr, you can take your humour outside, please.
Members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Members on both sides, we have had our fun. Ms Lawder, you have asked your question. Ms Berry will answer, please.
MS BERRY: I refer the member to my first answer.
Courts—backlogs
MR CAIN: Madam Speaker, my question is to the Attorney-General. Minister, the Productivity Commission’s Report on Government Services 2021 identified a backlog of criminal cases in the ACT Supreme Court of 34.9 per cent over the 12-month time frame to 30 June last year, the second highest in Australia. Minister, please explain why Canberra’s court clearance rates were so poor.
MR RATTENBURY: There are a number of factors and these are included in discussions I have been having, as the incoming Attorney-General, with both the Chief Justice and the Chief Magistrate to make sure that we are having cases heard in our courts as efficiently as possible. Of course, we have gone through 2020, which, as in most jurisdictions, had some delaying impact, although I think our courts did extremely well in continuing to work during that period. But there are pressures there. I will continue to work with the judiciary to ensure that they are running our cases as efficiently as possible.
MR CAIN: Minister, COVID had an effect on only four out of the 12 months of the reporting period. Please explain why court clearance rates were so poor over the first eight months of the financial year.
MR RATTENBURY: Clearly, the courts were very busy; that is why they had a lot of—
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, your colleague is on her feet.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, you are warned!
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