Last year, the Finocchiaro CLP government appointed a record number of Local Court judges, putting an end to Labor's chronic under-resourcing of the courts.A $1.4 million investment for 2026/27 will make a full complement of 19 judges permanent, as statistics show crime is coming down and case finalisations are at record highs.We will continue to reduce crime, put victims first, and get the justice system moving again for Territorians.
Last year, the Finocchiaro CLP Government delivered the biggest Law and Order budget in history, which saw the appointment of a record complement of 19 judges to tackle the backlog of cases left by the former Labor Government.
As we stay the course and build on that investment, the 2026/27 budget will see a $1.4 million investment to secure those judicial appointments permanently.
Attorney-General, Marie-Clare Boothby said that the investment was a crucial part of the government's Reducing Crime Strategy, helping to deliver certainty for victims, consequences for offenders, and capacity in the court.
"We inherited a justice system which was in crisis under the weight of Labor's chronic under-resourcing," Minister Boothby said.
"As part of our Reducing Crime Strategy, we're making our record appointment of judges permanent, as the court processes a higher volume of cases than ever before. It's about getting the justice system moving as we continue to reduce crime in the Territory."
Early results show the system is turning around:
Property offences are down 42% in the twelve months to February 2026, across the Greater Darwin Region;Territory-wide, assaults are down 8% and domestic violence assaults are down 9% for the same period; andAlice Springs alone has seen a 21% drop in assaults and 19% drop in domestic violence assaults.
"The results from our first year of reform are good but there's much more work to do. That's why we're staying the course and building on those foundations: putting victims first, holding offenders accountable, and properly resourcing our justice system."
For the first time in over a decade, matters are being resolved faster than they are entering the system, and the long-standing backlog is being cleared.
"Chief Judge Morris has reported that the courts are now processing cases at record rates, with nearly 25,000 matters resolved in the 2025/26 financial year already. More than 70% of matters finalised within six months which is well above the national average," Minister Boothby said.
"That's what you can do by removing red-tape and resourcing the justice system properly - and that's why we're making our record number of judge appointments permanent."
Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby said the investment builds on a number of reforms introduced to make courts more efficient and deliver swifter justice for Territorians, acknowledging the agility of many within the profession in implementing those changes.
The government's innovative TIG-ER Taskforce has also expanded due to its success, handling nearly 1,000 matters and resolving close to 800, with the majority finalised through early guilty pleas. And when Parliament resumes next week, the latest tranche of criminal justice reforms is expected to passed by Parliament.
Shane McMaster, a barrister and solicitor at AFL Withnalls welcomed what he described as a commendable range of procedural and sentencing reforms aimed at increasing efficiency.
"The reforms are designed to facilitate the early resolution of criminal matters and will help to reduce the current backlog of court matters, the time defendants spend on remand, and the protracted stress experienced by victims due to lengthy proceedings," Mr McMaster said.
"In our year of growth, certainty, and security, we're building on that progress to reduce crime and get the justice system moving again," Minister Boothby said.
