Hansard debates

Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:52): My question is for the Attorney-General. Constituents have raised concerns with me regarding the adjournment of matters in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court until later in the year or even next year in response to the pandemic. Unfortunately many criminal matters may now not be heard until 2021, which will allow many alleged criminals in Warrnambool and surrounding areas to get off scot-free for potentially over a year before their hearings and risk overloading the criminal justice system when cases begin to be heard again. It also means that potentially alleged criminals and even those who may be subsequently found innocent are clogging up the prison system while on remand. My question to the minister is: what is the government doing to expediate the process, with restrictions now relaxing, to ensure justice is served and victims are heard?