CPSU – Courts Staff Update

The Senate has ordered the government to table the KPMG and Ernst and Young reviews by 9.30am today, Thursday 22 March.

In the words of one CPSU delegate, “This is great news, it shows that our speaking to Members of Parliament was worthwhile and that they are listening”.

We believe the 2014 KPMG report warned that failure to increase funding to the Courts would force significant cuts to service and staffing levels, based on an article in The Australian on 29 August 2014.

The release of these reports is important for transparency in funding models, restructures and decisions that affect the services you deliver. You and I know successive governments have failed to adequately fund the Courts. What’s been missing is a discussion on possible solutions that would address access issues for the many Australian families who rely on the services the Courts provide.

Senators Pratt and Griff, supported by others, successfully put a motion noting the Governments failures to adequately fund the Federal Circuit and Family Courts and neglecting the families that rely on them. You can read the motion and the orders (page 44 of Hansard) online here.

The CPSU has been advocating, campaigning and lobbying to have these reports released since 2014. This has included requesting release directly from the Court then through FOI to the Court and the AGD in 2016. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner is currently considering that FOI. CPSU representatives have also lobbied members of parliament across political parties about the critical issues facing the Courts.

I acknowledge the hard work of CPSU workplace representatives advocating for transparency, the work you do, and adequate services for the community.