Questions remain on Burnie courthouse move

Tasmanian Labor
  • Elise Archer must explain lack of any consultation
  • Community and stakeholders overlooked
  • Interim plan needed for court proceedings
  • The government’s decision to abandon plans to upgrade the Burnie courthouse in favour of moving the facility out of the CBD is a significant departure from their election commitment, and questions remain about court proceedings in the meantime.

    Labor Member for Braddon Anita Dow said it is deeply disappointing that Attorney General Elise Archer has failed to consult the community about such an important project.

    “The current site in the CBD has good public transport links, and is close to legal practices and associated services,” Ms Dow said.

    “The proposed new site, at the UTAS Cradle Coast campus in Mooreville Road, is a residential area and community support is vital if this option is to go ahead. You would think the Attorney General might have learnt the importance of community consultation and support during the Westbury prison debacle.

    “Better court facilities for the North West are crucial but not without consultation. Elise Archer will be judged by the community for the way she consults on this project.”

    Shadow Attorney General Ella Haddad said the people of Burnie need a clear explanation of how criminal trials will be conducted in the short to medium term.

    “It’s clear that the current courthouse is no longer fit for purpose, so it is good to see a long-term plan to address this,” Ms Haddad said.

    “But, with jury trials currently not possible in the existing building because of social distancing requirements, the community needs to know how criminal trials will be dealt with.

    “We could have social distancing requirements in place for some time. With the new facilities not due for completion until 2023, the Attorney General needs to explain her plan for criminal trials in Burnie until then.”

    Anita Dow MP

    Labor Member for Braddon

    Ella Haddad MP

    Shadow Attorney General

    /Public Release. View in full here.