Law Society welcomes planned upgrade to Magistrates Court infrastructure
The Queensland government has announced a $5m investment for the state’s Department of Justice and the Department of Housing and Public Works to refurbish the Atherton Courthouse, scheduled to commence these coming months and expected to conclude early next year.
“The Crisafulli Government has prioritised these critical upgrades to keep women and children safe across our state, just like we said we would,” said Deb Frecklington, Queensland’s attorney-general and minister for justice and minister for integrity, in a joint statement from both departments.
“Our $5 million investment in the Atherton Courthouse will create better spaces for vulnerable witnesses, improve security across the site and ensure court staff can continue delivering essential justice services for Far North Queensland for years to come,” added Sam O'Connor, Queensland’s minister for housing and public works and minister for youth.
The state government explained that the renovations to the historic regional courthouse will:
The Queensland government noted that courthouse registry services will proceed at a temporary location to limit disruption during construction.
According to the state government, the modifications aim to:
“These works will ensure more efficient court services and provide a safe space so victims don’t have to sit across from their perpetrator when seeking justice,” Frecklington said in the Queensland government’s statement.
“These upgrades are about making sure victims and vulnerable witnesses feel safe and supported when they engage with the justice system,” O'Connor added.
“This is about ensuring regional Queenslanders have safe, reliable access to justice, now and into the future,” Frecklington said in a Facebook post.
In a media statement, the Queensland Law Society (QLS) supported the state government’s announcement of the $5m upgrade to the Atherton Courthouse.
“These upgrades will ensure the Atherton courthouse remains safe and functional for the Far North Queensland community,” said Peter Jolly, QLS president, in the statement. “Improved facilities like this will help victim-survivors feel safer and more supported when seeking justice, at time when they are extremely vulnerable.”
He pointed out that the law society’s statement, addressed to all political parties before the 2024 state election, asked them to commit to upgrading Queensland’s Magistrates Court infrastructure.
