Media release – Elise Archer, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, 11 August 2020
Labor fail to get behind vital infrastructure projects yet again
The Tasmanian Government is committed to ensuring that all Tasmanians have access to an effective and efficient justice system.
The current court facilities at Alexander St in Burnie are out-dated and no longer fit for purpose.
As part of our COVID-19 pandemic response, $5.9 million of our $15 million investment will be brought forward, which will enable the relocation to progress as soon as possible with minimal interruption to services.
Key stakeholders have already been consulted, with a number of these to provide ongoing input into the development. Feedback has been very positive given this will be a modern, fit-for-purpose court complex for judges and magistrates who conduct both civil and criminal matters that will provide a broad range of benefits to court users addressing access, transport, parking, security and many other features. Importantly, it is recognised that this relocation development will also ensure minimal interruption to service delivery.
The certainty we are providing on this vital project is in stark contrast to Labor who have been scrambling to spread misinformation and scare local communities about infrastructure projects.
Labor should stop with its relentless negativity and support important developments that will create thousands of jobs and substantial investment in Northern Tasmania.
Despite the constant naysaying from Labor who have clearly not consulted and offer no solutions, I look forward to progressing this exciting project and delivering facilities that will ensure access to an efficient and effective criminal and civil justice system for the people of Burnie and the North West in to the future.
Media release – Anita Dow MP, Labor Member for Braddon, 12 August 2020
Consultation fail on Burnie courthouse
The state government must work with the local community on its proposal to relocate the Burnie court, with yesterday’s announcement coming as a surprise to many.
Labor Member for Braddon Anita Dow said despite the Attorney General Elise Archer’s claims of consultation, some key stakeholders were not consulted prior to the announcement.
“The Burnie City Council is an important stakeholder, and will have an important role in any planning assessment, yet they were not consulted or even advised before the announcement.
“There is an immediate need for the government to consult with, and provide more information to, the local community and it’s not yet clear how or when this consultation will take place.
“For the government to say it will take community feedback onboard as the project progresses isn’t good enough.
“Labor recognises there is a need to upgrade the Court facilities and we are pleased to see a long term plan for Court services but the community deserve more information and details about the Government’s plans.
“Elise Archer clearly hasn’t learnt her lesson from the Westbury prison debacle – she ignored the Westbury community over that project, and it is concerning that she may be going to do the same to the people of Burnie.”
