Crisafulli Government boosts funding for courthouse upgrades to deliver faster justice
- Crisafulli Government dedicates an extra $5.47 million to upgrade busy courthouses.
- Total investment of $48 million will ensure the completion of critical upgrade projects.
- Extra funding is part of Making Queensland Safer laws commitment and provides additional capacity.
The Crisafulli Government has announced a funding increase for courthouse expansion projects as it works to deliver a more efficient justice system that can hear victims' cases sooner.
The total investment across the two projects now totals $48 million and includes the Brisbane Supreme and District Court expansion and Townsville Courthouse upgrade.
Almost $5.5 million dollars in extra funding has been allocated as part of the Crisafulli Government's Making Queensland Safer Laws commitment, which includes delivery of two additional courtrooms in Townsville, instead of the sole courtroom promised under Labor.
Upgrades to the Brisbane facility will allow select matters to be transferred from Beenleigh where suitable, and allow the conversion of an existing courtroom for additional Magistrate Court matters at that location.
The Brisbane Supreme and District Court funding also now provides for the relocation of staff, while construction is underway, which Labor had not factored into its plans.
The work includes:
Brisbane - three new courtrooms and office reconfigurations to accommodate additional registry staff, and relocation of existing administrative support staff.
Townsville - two new courtrooms and ancillary works, including judicial chambers, interview rooms, public waiting area and amenities, as well as the relocation of the Supreme Court Library.
The infrastructure upgrades will alleviate demand pressures for matters, including for nearby courthouses, improve capacity to hear matters efficiently, and reduce delays for each court jurisdiction.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Deb Frecklington said the upgrades would help ease demand pressures at some of the State's busiest courthouses.
"The Crisafulli Government Government recognises the critical role of the courts in keeping victims of crime safe and holding offenders accountable," the Attorney-General said.
"I am committed to boosting the capacity of our justice services to ensure victims' cases are heard sooner and to ensure we have a system that makes our community safer.
"That is what we promised Queenslanders and that it what we are delivering.
"These expansion projects will provide additional, modern, fit-for-purpose court facilities, increasing capacity to support the growing needs of some of our busiest communities in South East Queensland and Townsville."
Member for Townsville Adam Baillie welcomed the announcement which he said would assist in courts in processing cases quicker.
"An extra courtroom will help reduce wait times for victims of crime, which is so important when their lives are on hold, until justice is carried out," Mr Baillie said.
"Along with my fellow LNP MPs, I would like to thank the Attorney-General for working with us to deliver on the Crisafulli Government's promise to Townsville."
Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole said the Townsville Courthouse had been in operation for 50 years and commended the Attorney-General for the additional funding.
"We need a justice system that is efficient so victims' cases can be heard sooner and that is exactly what the Crisafulli Government is delivering," Ms Poole said.
Member for Thuringowa Natalie Marr said the funding would go a long way towards easing pressures on the courts, especially in Townsville.
"The Crisafulli Government has been working hard to Make Queensland Safer after a decade of chaos under Labor," Ms Marr.
"This additional funding will have a significant impact on demand pressures for the Townsville Courthouse."
Work has begun on both projects, which are expected to be completed progressively from late 2026 to mid-2028.
