MAR 28, 2018
The CPSU has condemned the Turnbull Government for refusing to release two consultant reports into the adequacy of funding for the cash-strapped Federal Courts.
Last week the Senate passed a motion noting that the Turnbull Government has failed to adequately fund the Federal Courts, specifically the Federal Circuit Court and Family Court, and ordering the release of two separate reports into funding arrangements and adequacy conducted by multinational consulting giants KPMG and EY.
Attorney-General Christian Porter has formally refused the Senate order, claiming Public Interest Immunity as the basis for refusing to release both reports. The Government response claims that releasing the reports would “have a chilling effect on the participation and advice of the courts” and that “it would undermine the Government's ability to support the courts in improving their efficiency and effectiveness to the benefit of all Australian families”.
CPSU Deputy National President Rupert Evans said: “What total and utter rot. The only thing ‘chilling’ participation in the courts is the Turnbull Government’s failure to properly fund these Federal Courts so that Australian families can access justice in a timely manner. The CPSU is highly sceptical of Attorney-General Christian Porter’s dubious use of Public Interest Immunity, especially his claim that it’s in the public interest for these two reports to remain secret. Our members working in these Federal Courts can see that no-one is benefitting from this secrecy except the Turnbull Government itself.”
The CPSU has condemned the Turnbull Government for refusing to release two consultant reports into the adequacy of funding for the cash-strapped Federal Courts.
Last week the Senate passed a motion noting that the Turnbull Government has failed to adequately fund the Federal Courts, specifically the Federal Circuit Court and Family Court, and ordering the release of two separate reports into funding arrangements and adequacy conducted by multinational consulting giants KPMG and EY.
Attorney-General Christian Porter has formally refused the Senate order, claiming Public Interest Immunity as the basis for refusing to release both reports. The Government response claims that releasing the reports would “have a chilling effect on the participation and advice of the courts” and that “it would undermine the Government's ability to support the courts in improving their efficiency and effectiveness to the benefit of all Australian families”.
CPSU Deputy National President Rupert Evans said: “What total and utter rot. The only thing ‘chilling’ participation in the courts is the Turnbull Government’s failure to properly fund these Federal Courts so that Australian families can access justice in a timely manner. The CPSU is highly sceptical of Attorney-General Christian Porter’s dubious use of Public Interest Immunity, especially his claim that it’s in the public interest for these two reports to remain secret. Our members working in these Federal Courts can see that no-one is benefitting from this secrecy except the Turnbull Government itself.”
- “This Government has sliced, diced and amalgamated the Federal Courts, imposing a disruptive restructure while making short-sighted and unsustainable funding cuts. Courts staff and people using the courts have borne the brunt of this, and the situation is getting worse not better.”
- “These two reports from KPMG and EY appear to have been relied upon by the Turnbull Government as it’s made these damaging decisions, which have caused major delays in litigation that have made difficult legal matters such as custody disputes and other situations even more difficult and traumatic. Could it be the Government paid large sums of money for these reports and then ignored their warnings?”
- “The Attorney-General’s decision is disrespectful to the Senators who passed this motion but also disrespectful to the staff and clients in the Federal Courts who are increasingly frustrated. The Government needs to fix this situation by providing adequate funding for the courts, and properly supporting legal and support staff to do their important work.”
- “Christian Porter is claiming that releasing these reports would discourage the Courts from providing frank and fearless advice in the future. If CPSU members, judges, barristers and clients have the courage to call out the current mess, then the Attorney-General should have the courage to release these reports.”
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