A security shortfall that left more than 20 regional Western Australian courts closed, creating delays, dislocation and reduced access to justice, has been resolved.
The state’s top judicial officers last month announced the courts would shut for about 12 weeks due to a dispute between the Justice Department and police about the staffing of security personnel.
The circuit courts, located in regional areas such as Fitzroy Crossing, Newman and Exmouth, are not open every day, but rather at certain times of the year when they are visited by travelling judicial officers.
Attorney-General Tony Buti has now confirmed those services can be guaranteed from August 3, about a month earlier than expected, because additional police auxiliary officers have been trained.
Attorney-General Tony Buti says the regional courts can open a month earlier than planned. (ABC News: Courtnery Withers )
“There’s six [officers] that have now been trained [and] are ready to go to these regional courts to provide the security,” he told 102.5 ABC Perth.
“And there’s funding [for] up to 20, and they should be available from early August.”
Cases rescheduled
Dr Buti said the Justice Department was in the process of looking at rescheduling cases that had been affected by the closures.
“The parties involved will be informed of that as soon as possible,” he said.
The closures resulted in police having to transport more than 157 people from regional communities to major centres, including by via the air wing, to face court.
Legal advocates said that had left people stranded in those communities in some cases, including a 16-year-old with no accommodation, family support or transport home.
The Justice Department said it had been providing accommodation and transport support to people in those situations.
More to come.
