Released 20/03/2018
The ACT Government is improving access to justice through amendments to courts legislation, reducing red tape and addressing issues identified by the legal community.
Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said the changes passed in the Legislative Assembly today will create further efficiencies and make justice easier to access through the ACT’s courts and tribunal.
“The Courts and Other Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 will reduce red tape and increase access to justice through amendments identified by senior legal stakeholders and recent decisions of ACT courts,” Minister Ramsay said.
“The courts will now have a simplified process for taking evidence from overseas using audio-visual or audio links and the process for the enforcement of ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal orders has been clarified.
“These changes address issues raised by the judiciary in R v Woutersz and Kaney v Rushton and reflect our commitment to work with all stakeholders to improve our justice system.”
The Juries Act 1967 has been amended to modernise and streamline jury processes, including reforms to better support the inclusion of people with a disability as jurors.
“Following these reforms, ACT jury provisions will be among the most inclusive in Australia. Disability should not stand in the way of someone being able to participate in jury service.” Minister Ramsay said.
Improvements have also been made to the operation of the ACT’s coronial system. The Bill includes amendments to reduce the rate of invasive autopsies and broadens the application of an existing safeguard requiring a coroner to consider how to minimise distress or offence to a person because of their cultural attitudes or spiritual beliefs.
“Assisting coronial investigations to run smoothly helps to ensure the deceased and their families are treated with dignity and respect,” Minister Ramsay said.
“Sensitive consideration of cultural attitudes and spiritual beliefs throughout the coronial process will help to minimise distress to families during what is already a difficult time.”
The amendments contained in the Bill also:
- assist the fair resolution of energy and water complaints;
- better reflect in legislation the expanded role of the Supreme Court’s Associate Judge;
- improve the reporting process for complaints about judicial officers; and
- update the text of oaths and affirmations to better reflect the ACT’s diverse population.
“These changes are part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to review and reform justice legislation to ensure the ACT has an accessible, fair and efficient justice system,” Minister Ramsay said.
- Statement ends -
Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases
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