5 new courtrooms to open in Sydney in $500m NSW justice boost

A key feature of the package is a $34.5 million upgrade to Sydney’s Downing Centre and neighbouring John Maddison Tower, which will deliver at least five new courtrooms and 10 virtual courtrooms equipped with remote hearing capabilities.

Of the half-billion-dollar investment, the NSW government revealed that $227 million will be allocated to the state’s Victims Support Service over the next five years.

The Labor government announced this funding commitment today (2 June), ahead of the state budget release on 24 June.

Premier Chris Minns described the package as central to the government’s agenda of “building a safer NSW and better protecting victim-survivors.”

Attorney-General Michael Daley highlighted that the investment underscores the government’s commitment to improving “access to justice” by expanding Sydney’s court capacity and alleviating trauma for vulnerable victim-survivors.

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“These investments ensure we are continuing to prioritise community safety and access to justice through the efficient operation of our court system,” A-G Daley said.

The NSW government’s $34.5 million commitment to build more courtrooms in Sydney’s city centre has been welcomed by the Law Society of NSW, with president Jennifer Ball calling it a crucial step to meet the demands of today’s justice system.

“Justice infrastructure in NSW courts and tribunals is constantly in need of greater investment to accommodate growing populations, take advantage of new technology, and to respond to increased demands as a result of the government’s criminal justice reforms,” she said.

Ball emphasised that the five additional courtrooms “will go some way” towards alleviating “these demands and ideally will help speed justice for defendants and complainants who are often subjected to inordinate court delays”.

“These investments are complemented by the $49.5 million investment in a new court hub to support complainants in these matters, including through [the] provision of more facilities to enable evidence to be provided remotely,” Ball said.

Despite the investment in court infrastructure, the president of the NSW Law Society, Ball, raised concerns about broader justice policy settings that are contributing to rising incarceration rates, particularly among people on remand.

“Bail is a complex matter, as illustrated by last week’s statement by the Chief Justice of NSW, Andrew Bell. The spending of more than $100 million on staffing prisons is a response to reforms that the government accepts are driving prison populations up,” Ball said.

“While serious offenders should be punished appropriately, bulging prisons don’t make safer, thriving communities. Supporting vulnerable communities by providing better health, housing, education, social services, and employment infrastructure can help reduce crime significantly.”