The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Guy Barnett has requested a commitment from the Federal Government on including a Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia court room within the new Burnie Courts Complex project.
The Federal Government is looking for a venue for the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Burnie and have been invited to include the court within the new Burnie Courts Complex project.
The Rockliff Liberal Government has allocated $86.5 million for the new courts complex which will deliver space for four courts for Tasmanian Judges and Magistrates.
A fifth court could be incorporated into the Burnie Court complex design to cater for the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, but it would require an investment of $15 million from the Federal Government to design and create the additional court space.
Attorney-General Barnett has written to the Federal Attorney-General, Hon Mark Dreyfus, to inform him the Tasmanian Government requires a formal commitment to the project from the Federal Government by 29 February 2024.
"It is imperative for North West Tasmanians to have access to justice in an appropriate and safe location," the Attorney-General said.
"Prior to July, there was a period in which the federal courts were unable to sit in Burnie, and the lack of in-person hearings was of great concern."
The federal courts are now sitting in Burnie utilising the Supreme Court of Tasmania premises.
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Chief Justice William Alstergren AO in a letter on October 24 said he was grateful to Chief Justice Alan Blow AO and the Tasmanian Government for allowing judges to use the Burnie facility since July.
In the letter, Chief Justice Alstergren said the new Burnie Court complex was an excellent opportunity to ensure litigants of the North-West have access to in-person hearings for family law matters on a permanent basis.
Attorney-General Barnett said having the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia located at the new Burnie complex made sense.
"I call on the Federal Government to invest in this project," he said.
The Burnie Court Complex Project Team is in the advanced stages of site acquisition for 100-106 Wilson Street, with a request for tender to find an architectural team to deliver a design for the project being advertised on Saturday (today).
"Once the design process is underway, it will be very difficult to include a fifth court for the Federal Government," the Attorney-General said.
"The Rockliff Liberal Government is committed to ensuring all Tasmanians have the justice system they deserve.
