Leader of The Nationals WA Shane Love MLA has called on the State Government to step up and avoid a shutdown of regional courts, warning communities across regional WA are facing major disruption because of Government inaction.
Mr Love said it was not too late for the Cook Labor Government to avoid the planned three-month closures, which would impact hundreds of residents across more than 20 regional communities and severely disrupt access to justice.
“Today, I received a briefing from the Attorney General, who confirmed the Government is now recruiting an additional 20 auxiliary police officers to provide security support for regional courthouses,” Mr Love said.
“These officers will not be frontline police, but they will have powers to detain and respond to incidents until police arrive.
“The frustrating reality is the Government has known about this issue for 17 months and only appears to have acted once the prospect of the widespread court shutdowns became unavoidable.”
Mr Love said there was no reason temporary arrangements could not be put in place immediately to keep regional courts operating safely while the new auxiliary officers were recruited and trained.
“For years, WA Police have stepped in to provide court security support on an as needed basis in regional communities,” he said.
“There is absolutely no reason that arrangement cannot continue temporarily while these additional officers come online.”
Mr Love said the Government needed to stop shifting responsibility and urgently bring together the Police Minister, Attorney General, Police Commissioner, Department of Justice leadership, and the courts themselves to agree on practical interim measures.
“If the Government is serious about preventing these closures, it has nine days to do so. It must sit down with the courts immediately, explain what measures are being put in place, and provide confidence these courts can continue to operate safely.”
“What regional communities need right now is leadership and urgency, not buck passing,” he said.
“Regional courts are an essential service. They deal with family and domestic violence matters, criminal cases, restraining orders, and critical community issues. Regional people deserve access to justice just as much as anyone in Perth.”
Mr Love also criticised the lack of detail provided around support for people who may be forced to travel hundreds of kilometres to attend court if closures proceed.
“The Attorney General claimed support would be available, but could not explain what that support would actually look like,” Mr Love said.
“These shutdowns are due to begin in less than two weeks, yet regional residents still do not know whether they will be compensated for fuel, accommodation, or other costs associated with travelling potentially 1,000 kilometres round-trip just to attend court.
“That is simply not good enough.”