The Allan Labor Government's budget vandalism continues to hit Victoria's justice system hard.
Giving evidence to Parliament's Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC), the CEO of Court Services Victoria (CSV), Louise Anderson, said Victoria's courts are now "identifying what activities may need to stop" because of Labor's budget cuts.
CSV has been ordered to find over $106 million in savings over the next four years, starting with $26.1 million in 2025-26.
Labor's court cuts have already seen 229 staff cut from CSV this financial year, including 34 Children's Court conciliation unit staff who were terminated just before Christmas.
CSV has refused to rule out even more staff cuts, including to frontline services, or to guarantee that Victorian courts will not be closed as a cost-saving exercise.
Underlining the chaos of Labor's budget cuts, the new Wyndham Law Courts lay idle because the government has failed to provide the funding to open them. Despite CSV taking possession in March, no opening date has been set with only a vague suggestion of "by the end of 2025" as to when these new facilities will actually be put to work.
Shadow Attorney-General Michael O'Brien said "Labor's cuts to Victoria's courts and justice system put community safety at risk.
"Labor's promised bail law changes have been delayed because of budget pressures. Cuts to courts mean longer backlogs to get criminal matters on for trial. This will lead to more accused people being given bail who would otherwise be held on remand.
"Courts are now actively considering which of their core functions they will need to stop due to Labor's budget cuts.
"Even the brand-new Wyndham Law Courts sit empty for months because Labor has failed to fund their opening.
"Just as 'Yes, Minister' had the most efficient new hospital because it did not treat patients, Labor's new Wyndham Law Courts sit empty and closed - a reminder of how Labor treats the west of Melbourne with contempt.
"Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage the justice system and all Victorians are paying the price".
