A chronic shortage of justices of the peace is having a negative impact on residents in Northern Victoria, The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said today.
Ms Broad said JPs provided an important free service – acting as independent and objective witnesses for documents used in legal and official processes.
“I recently met with a JP in Kennington who raised serious concerns about the shortage and the urgent need to encourage more people to undertake the appropriate training and become registered,” Ms Broad told Parliament.
“Compared to states like New South Wales and Queensland, Victoria has significantly fewer JPs, and the current number simply isn’t keeping pace with population growth.
“This shortfall is placing increasing pressure on the few JPs who are active and making it difficult for residents, particularly in regional areas, to access this important service in a timely way.
“JPs are volunteers who play a vital role in supporting our justice system.”
Ms Broad formally asked the Attorney-General to outline what steps the State Government is taking to recruit, retain and support more justices of the peace across Northern Victoria to ensure this essential service remains accessible to regional communities.
Concerns have been raised that the Labor State Government is failing to deliver the training because of a lack of funding.
Ms Broad said: “Why is the Government currently not recruiting justices of the peace? Is it because they’ve simply run out of funds to conduct the training?
“Labor can’t manage to support this vital service and once again regional Victorians are paying the price,” Ms Broad said.
Become a justice of the peace or bail justice | Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764
linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
