Gippsland lawyers joined forces recently to discuss their concerns about the closure of the Bairnsdale and Sale courthouses to the public on non-sitting days, and the impact the restrictions will have on Gippsland residents.
Local lawyers Daniel Taylor, Peter Murphy, Erin Thorsen, Chris Walker, James Gray-Foster and Jess Murray were joined by retired magistrate, Lou Hill, to discuss the effect of the restrictions, which have already come into force, on their clients and the community at large.
Ten courts across regional Victoria have had access to their services slashed, including Bacchus Marsh, Benalla, Echuca, Korumburra, Kyneton, Seymour, Wangarratta and Swan Hill as well as the Sale and Bairnsdale courts.
Court services such as affidavits, witnessing of documents, paying fines and Intervention Order assistance are no longer available on non-sitting days.
Lou Hill, who sat as a magistrate in the Gippsland courts for many years, is concerned about the
disadvantage placed on the First Nations community,
in particular.
“The impact will be felt across the large geographical Gippsland region. Are people from Orbost expected to drive to the Morwell Court for access to court services?” Lou said.
“People need to be able to be referred to the courts for legal advice and assistance.”
Chris Walker added, “The policy reeks of Spring Street and the metropolitan perspective of one size fits all. East Gippsland is a
huge area.
“It is a three-hour drive from Bairnsdale to the border. How are people from communities such as
Mallacoota going to access court services on the days the court is shut?
“The nature of court services is an urgent one, for example, when someone is subjected to family violence. In my practice, I work with some of the most marginalised East Gippslanders, people who may be homeless or suffering from mental health issues.
“It is already difficult for them to navigate the legal system. It is extraordinarily naïve of the policy makers to think people can engage on-line or travel long distances. The policy impacts people’s safety.”
Erin Thorsen agreed.
“Our community already faces distance and transport barriers,” Erin said.
“Cutting access to the courts only deepens regional disadvantage. Regional people deserve the same access to justice as those in the city.”
Peter Murphy, who has represented people in the Gippsland courts for more than four decades, said, “The Allan government would do well to remember the fate of the Kennett government in the 1990s when they closed schools, local shires and
train services.
“People in the country don’t like to be treated as less worthy than their city counterparts. The Allan government should think twice about the court closures and its effect on our community.”
