High hopes for justice
Regional lawyers espouse benefits of having Supreme Court on Coast
PROMINENT Toowoomba lawyer Ben Gouldson has worked in that city’s Supreme Court for 20 years.
The director of Clifford Gouldson Lawyers says the higher court provided great benefit to the community and was “part of society’s right to know what is taking place in our court system”.
“Access to justice for victims and their families is certainly enhanced by having the hearings locally,” said Mr Gouldson who was surprised to learn the Gold Coast did not have a Supreme Court, despite being six times the size of Toowoomba.
“Local justice is about giving the society the opportunity to learn about itself, that empowers decision making.
“Media reporting is able to take place at local hearings, while hearings in Brisbane often can’t be covered.
“That is a bit unfortunate as it is part of the society’s right to know what is taking place in our court system. The little communities we live in need to be aware of what is going on.
“Certainly, you can also appreciate any need for victim impact statements in sentencing and other proceedings.”
In Rockhampton, Robert Roomey, of Swanwick Murray Roche Lawyers, said there was plenty of work for the higher court, even though the town had a fifth of the Gold Coast population.
“Having a Supreme Court here permanently makes it easier access to justice and to resolve a complaint with less expense,” he said.
“The efficiency of the justice system is very good here with a permanent appointment. Judges understand and know the region.”
In NSW, the flexible Supreme Court system gives towns as small as Lismore the chance to host Supreme Court for the crimes of murder, manslaughter and terrorism.
This year, the remote town of Broken Hill welcomed the Supreme Court for the first time over a major murder trial.
The Gold Coast hosted its first Supreme Court circuit hearing in over a decade last month but the State Government said it had no plans for a permanent court because there was not enough work to fill the two-week trial.
Gold Coast councillor Glenn Tozer said the city should also consider a Family Court.
“I know there is significant delays when it comes to federal and family circuit courts locally. For me that might be an opportunity, if we are to re-
develop the legal space.
“If we are to renew Southport what we might want to do is deliver an option for families to have easier access to family court matters.”
Family lawyer Luke Brandon, a Partner at Evans and Company Family Lawyers, said there would be no shortage of work if a family court justice was appointed to the Coast.
“From my perspective, and colleagues I have spoken with, if there was a permanent judicial officer sitting on the Gold Coast they would not be without work,” he said.
At present, the Federal Circuit Court meets inconsistently and infrequently on the Gold Coast as part of the circuit system. This can often lead to delays for families.