PREMIER MUST INTERVENE REGIONAL COURT CRISIS

The Opposition has called on Premier Roger Cook to personally intervene in the escalating regional court crisis after revelations the Government had 17 months’ warning police would withdraw from court security duties.

Shadow Attorney General Nick Goiran said the unfolding situation exposed a serious failure of leadership and basic government administration.

“This was not a lightning strike. The Government had 17 months’ warning and still failed to prevent regional court closures,” he said.

“What is extraordinary is not just that criminal court sittings are now being vacated across regional Western Australia, but the Government knew this crisis was coming well before the last State Election and failed to act.

“The Cook Labor Government somehow found time and money for a racetrack, but could not ensure regional courthouses had basic security in place this winter.

“No-one seriously believes it should take 17 months to organise security for regional courts.”

Mr Goiran said the issue had now escalated beyond a routine operational problem.

“A functioning justice system is not optional, it is one of the most basic responsibilities of government,” he said.

“A competent government gets the fundamentals right. This is the justice system equivalent of hospitals cancelling surgeries.

“Regional West Australians deserve the same access to justice as people living in Perth. This is about whether victims can access the courts and whether the justice system can operate safely.”

Mr Goiran said if the Attorney General and Police Minister could not resolve the issue, the Premier needed to step in immediately before the crisis escalated further on 1 June.

“Regional West Australians deserve more than Attorney General Tony Buti commentating on the issue in Estimates, saying ‘It’s not ideal’. It’s time for the Premier to step up and step,” he said.

Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Libby Mettam said the breakdown in regional court operations was deeply concerning for victims of family and domestic violence.

“I have already heard from victims of domestic violence who are deeply worried about what this means for their safety and access to justice,” Ms Mettam said.

“We are already seeing perpetrators granted bail against police advice because our prisons are full, and now regional courts are unable to operate properly because the Cook Labor Government cannot resolve this issue.

“That is an extraordinary failure. When courts cannot function properly, vulnerable women and families are placed at greater risk.

“The Government cannot claim to take family and domestic violence seriously while failing to maintain the basic operation of regional courts.”

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