AFP to Review Court Security
Thursday 22 January 2015 @ 11.01 a.m. | Judiciary, Legal Profession & Procedure
The New South Wales government is currently conducting a review of court security in conjunction with the Australian Federal Police as a result of heightened fears of terrorist activities. Late last year, the Department of Justice engaged the Australian Federal Police to conduct an independent review of court security for the protection of all court users. The Magistrates' Association will be consulted as part of the review.
Court Security
The State government has maintained that court security is of high priority amidst claims from the opposition that there are now fewer sheriffs on duty in courts across regional NSW such as the Hunter region. Opposition spokeswoman for the Hunter Sonia Hornery said there had been times in Maitland and Newcastle courts recently when a sheriff had not been on duty.
NSW Attorney General Brad Hazzard maintains that an independent review of court security is currently underway and conducted by the Australian Federal Police. “That review will help assist how we as a community and government respond to security requirements across the 150 local courts across the state,” he said.
Cuts to Sheriffs
The Public Service Association has revealed that there have been a number of cuts to court sheriffs in NSW. Their roles have subsequently been replaced by private contractors who do not have the same powers to intervene in emergency situations. It was also shown that of the 80 sheriffs that have left their position in the last three years, only twenty five replacements have been introduced.
Deputy state Coroner Sharon Freund, who is president of the NSW Magistrates Association, told NSW Attorney General Brad Hazzard in a letter in August that more than 20 courts in the state presently have days where no sheriff officer is provided. Ms Freund warned that some magistrates might soon refuse to hear matters due to fears for their own safety.
Matters for Concern
In her letter, Ms Freund outlined the following points of concerns:
- The large number of accused appearing before local courts with drug addictions and violent histories;
- Tensed family matters that involve apprehended violence orders; and
- Smaller hearing rooms where the families of victims and the accused and forced to sit side by side.
Ms Freund said that given these scenarios, an attack may easily occur against members of court staff, or against a sitting magistrate or registrar.
The Department of Justice is currently still awaiting the results of the review being conducted by the Australian Federal Police. The Department has faith that the review will help inform future improvements to court security.
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