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ACT allocates $3.8m for dedicated coroner, special magistrate
The ACT government has allocated $3.8 million in its state budget for a dedicated coroner in the hopes that it will significantly reduce the time that bereaved family and friends are waiting and, in turn, reduce the likelihood of them suffering more trauma.
Naomi Neilson
In addition to supporting a dedicated coroner and support staff over a four-year period with the $3.8 million boost, the ACT government has set aside funding for a special magistrate to reduce the backlog of cases and provide additional positions within the Director of Public Prosecutions and in the state’s Legal Aid.
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Treasurer Andrew Barr said the resourcing would build the court’s capacity and help victims and their families by ensuring timely access to justice. Prior to this funding, eight magistrates were tasked with coronial matters on top of their heavy workloads.
“A dedicated coroner can better understand and meet the needs of families and friends involved in inquests by providing better support and reducing the likelihood of them suffering more trauma through a protracted coronial process,” Mr Barr said.
Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury said that over the last 12 months, he has “listened to the families who have been involved in coronial matters” and agreed that improvements were needed to better facilitate coronial matters.
Mr Rattenbury specifically acknowledged the dozens of families he spoke to, in particular, the dedicated advocacy from the Coronial Reform Group and Alliance for Coronial Reform, “who have never let up in showing why we need this reform”.
“Having a dedicated coroner will reduce delays for bereaved family, friends, and witnesses involved in inquests and allow a more consistent, restorative approach to coronial proceedings. As well as reducing the wait times for coronial cases to be resolved, a dedicated coroner will ensure families and friends are better supported throughout the difficult process,” Mr Rattenbury commented.
The Honourable Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker also welcomed the government’s commitment to funding for the dedicated coroner and the opportunity to develop a more structured and streamlined approach to justice.
“It will also allow for the important therapeutic and public safety functions provided for in legislation to be developed in a manner consistent with current best practice.”
