Page 2714 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 21 November 1989
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MS FOLLETT: I thank Mr Jensen for that question on an important matter. The Standing Committee of Attorneys-General meets fairly regularly - more regularly than I am able to attend it, needless to say - and I cannot advise you at this moment exactly what stage its consideration of that question of interstate car thefts is at. But I can certainly find that out for you and add that to the answer that I have already given on that matter.
Court Accommodation
MR STEFANIAK: My question is addressed to the Chief Minister. Given that the Government will be taking over the ACT courts system at the end of June next year, is the Chief Minister aware that there are some 64 staff members situated in fairly cramped conditions in the courthouse at Knowles Place, 13 further staff members spread out in Murray House, 10 at Childers Street, seven in the AMP building, and 15 monitors who work in each of the four buildings? Is there any proposal to rationalise the accommodation for the ACT courts in one building when the courts are taken over by the ACT Government next year?
MS FOLLETT: I thank Mr Stefaniak for the question. The ACT courts are still the responsibility of the Commonwealth Government, and the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department is responsible for their operation. It is also responsible for the level of resources allocated to the courts, including matters of staffing, numbers of judges and magistrates, and so on.
But, as we all know, under the ACT self-government legislation the transfer of responsibility for the courts to the ACT Government is included and will become a reality. The precise question that Mr Stefaniak has asked was about the staff being accommodated in a number of locations. I am having a great deal of trouble hearing in here, Mr Speaker; I do not know why. They are accommodated in a number of different locations. Do you see that as an inefficient arrangement, Mr Stefaniak?
Mr Stefaniak: Yes.
MS FOLLETT: As far as I am aware, that has not been addressed. It certainly has not been raised with me in the conversations that I have had in a preliminary way, looking at the possible transfer of the courts and the resources of the courts. I think it is a reasonable question to ask and I think it is something that should be taken up in relation to the general question of the transfer of the courts and the resources that are available to them.
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