Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill passes second reading

The Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill has passed its second reading.

According to Minister for Courts Nicole McKee, the submitters at the select committee were “largely in favour of the changes in the Bill and the continued use of remote participation in the courts”. The Justice Select Committee had recommended that the bill proceed without amendment.

McKee explained that the bill was in line with the government’s initiative to bolster court performance and improve access to justice through remote court participation.

“As we know, our courts are under pressure and delays in justice have a significant impact on participants, particularly victims", she said.

The amendments in the bill provide additional options for court attendance, catering to participants like victims, lawyers, Corrections, and probation staff.

“The first discreet change the bill makes is to give victims the option to observe a criminal trial and sentencing remotely if suitable technology is available and a judicial officer or court registrar considers this to be appropriate", McKee explained. “The second change allows the use of audio links, such as telephone conference calls, for appropriate court proceedings. The use of audio links will increase the number of people able to participate remotely".

The third amendment locks in a once-temporary change that was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic by clarifying that “remote participation in criminal proceedings, and remote observation by the media and the public are consistent with the principle of open justice”.