Page 392 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 10 February 2021
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MS CASTLEY: Minister, what measures is the government taking to improve the court clearance rates for Canberrans?
MR RATTENBURY: As indicated in my first answer, I am having a discussion with the judiciary about these matters. The government has recently—
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: You are on a warning, Mr Hanson.
Mrs Jones: That was yesterday, wasn’t it?
MADAM SPEAKER: No. No-one heard because he was too busy gibbering when Ms Castley was on her feet, trying to ask the question.
Mr Hanson: I did not hear it; I apologise.
Mr Parton: Does the siren count if no-one heard it?
MADAM SPEAKER: You are warned now.
MR RATTENBURY: Sorry, Madam Speaker; I have forgotten Ms Castley’s specific question.
Mrs Jones: What measures?
MR RATTENBURY: What measures, yes.
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, you may think this is funny, but it is question time, when you are supposed to hold the government to account. You have asked a quite serious question about criminal cases and a slow court performance. I would have thought that did not need to be laughed at.
Mrs Jones: That was not being laughed at.
MADAM SPEAKER: Now you can join the warned list, Mrs Jones. Mr Rattenbury, do you choose to answer?
MR RATTENBURY: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Before I was interjected on, I was indicating that, having become the Attorney-General quite recently, I have spoken to the leaders of the judiciary about these matters. The government has undertaken to look at additional resources for the courts, including, for example, appointing a full-time coroner. These are the matters that I am considering now and that I will look at through the budget process. There has also been the recent appointment of a magistrate to fill the vacancy created by Magistrate Bernadette Boss taking up a national role. I am very pleased that she has taken up that role.
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