- Law Reform Commission of WA to look at improving accessibility of courts and tribunals
- Review examining better support for witnesses, jurors, and other participants with disabilities
- Commission will examine if legislative change is needed
A review by the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia is aimed at giving people with disability better access to Western Australia's courts and tribunals. It complements work already underway by the Department of Justice to remove legislative barriers that currently prevent people who are deaf from being able to serve as jurors.
Attorney General Dr Tony Buti has tasked the Commission with providing a wide-ranging review into how well people with disability can access and participate in the State's courts and tribunals and give advice on how to improve access for everyone who attends hearings.
Every day, courts and tribunals in Western Australia deal with civil and criminal matters involving many different people and their representatives. Despite great access improvements over time, such as wheelchair ramps and hearing loops, barriers still exist that prevent full participation for people with disability.
The Law Reform Commission's review will use a broad definition of 'disability' to include long-term physical, psychiatric, intellectual, sensory, neurological, and/or learning impairments.
It will consider how people living with disability use the court and tribunal system as witnesses, jurors, accused or convicted people, victims of crime, or applicants and defendants in civil matters.
The Cook Government is committed to ensuring everyone has access to courts and tribunals across jurisdictions and can fully participate in the justice system.
As stated by Attorney General Dr Tony Buti:
"The courts are fundamental to ensuring people's human rights in a democracy and we want to make sure no one is being left behind.
"This review will have regard to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to which Australia is a party.
"This sets out the rights to recognition before the law and to equal access to justice."
As stated by Disability Services Minister Hannah Beazley:
"The Cook Labor Government is committed to improving accessibility for people with disability, including to our courts and tribunals.
"While many improvements have been made over the years, particularly for people with physical disability, we don't want to be complacent.
"The review will help identify barriers and recommend ways we can improve access for people with disability."
