Outgoing Chief Justice decries funding and court fee increases

In an article in smh.com.au, the outgoing Chief Justice of the Federal Court wants the government to urgently restore funding or risk the court stretching resources to a point where it starts ''devouring'' itself.

Patrick Keane, who moves to the High Court bench in March, said the Federal Court's judges and administrative staff had been ''heroic'' for their hard work, particularly as the number of judges declined from 50 to 44 nationally during his tenure.

Chief Justice Keane said:

''We have just had to keep finding ways to get fewer staff to do more work.

''[But] at what point do you start - like a marathon runner - to consume your own flesh? There comes a point at which you are kind of devouring yourself.''

Allocations to the Federal Court were $93.5 million in the 2010 budget but fell to $89.7 million in 2011 before rising to $90.2 million in last year's budget, according to annual reports.

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