Qld: Justice review overdue: Opposition

AAP General News (Australia)
08-09-2008
Qld: Justice review overdue: Opposition

BRISBANE, Aug 9 AAP - The state opposition has described a wide-ranging review of Queensland's
justice system as "long-overdue".

Opposition legal spokesman Mark McArdle said Queensland had the most inefficient court
system in Australia with more than 31,000 criminal and 34,000 civil cases caught up in
the justice gridlock last year.

"This review is long overdue after years of neglect," Mr McArdle said.

Queensland Attorney-General Kerry Shine said the review would examine aspects of the
justice system and identify practical improvements to resolve cases more quickly and fairly.

The review ill be overseen by Martin Moynihan QC, a former senior judge administrator
of the Supreme Court.

Submissions to it can be made until September 5.

"I welcome feedback from our key stakeholders in the legal community and others with
an interest in the justice system and look forward to the outcomes of the review," Mr
Shine said.

Mr McCardle has called on the Queensland government to give a commitment to release
the findings of the review publicly.

"The people of Queensland deserve a guarantee that the review won't be fobbed off to
the Queensland Law Reform Commission," he said.

"The shocking state of our court backlog has blown out under this attorney's watch
and only now is he finally being forced to act."

AAP nm/cjh/

KEYWORD: COURTS QLD LNP

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.