Page 2319 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 5 June 2013

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Whatever way one does the analysis, and bearing in mind that the ACT Supreme Court only hears the most serious cases, in my opinion the need for an extra permanent judge is beyond dispute.

Yesterday’s budget showed how much worse the situation is getting in the ACT. And it is clear that this is a problem created by this Labor government because we can compare our situation to other jurisdictions. According to the latest report on government services, we have 3.4 judges per 100,000 people. This is the lowest number of judges per capita in the country. It is relevant to compare to similar jurisdictions such as the Northern Territory, which has 11 judges per capita and Tasmania which has 4.1 judges per 100,000. Importantly, we are also well below the national average of 4.8 judges per 100,000 people.

The delays we are currently experiencing do not serve to benefit anyone. Many Canberrans have had their lives turned upside down by court cases, and the continued delays in addressing them have meant that their suffering is exacerbated. Businesses caught up in long litigations are putting at risk their livelihoods and causing untold stress. The accused awaiting trial are often detained on remand at the AMC only to be released soon after trial as they are deemed to have served their sentence. Their classification in the prison of being held on remand rather than sentenced means they often cannot participate in rehabilitation programs.

There is a serious problem in the ACT. Everyone in the legal fraternity agrees that one way of addressing this problem is to appoint a fifth judge—that is, everyone except the government, who have put their hands over their ears and are ignoring the facts and the opinions of the people most affected. It is a sad day when the government refuse to listen to the electorate and refuse to listen to the community who is best informed on the issue. The refusal by this government to appoint a fifth judge reflect their arrogance about the legislative process.

It is often quoted that justice delayed is justice denied, and today Labor and the Greens have denied justice to thousands of Canberrans. I again commend the bill to the Assembly.

Question put:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

The Assembly voted—

Question so resolved in the negative.

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