Tuesday 4 June 2024
Labor builds new law courts with no funding to operate them
The Allan Labor Government’s financial mismanagement has now reached ‘Yes, Minister’ levels of incompetence.
The $275 million Wyndham Law Court development is scheduled to be completed this year and open at the start of 2025, however, Labor’s budget cuts to Court Services Victoria (CSV) means that there is no funding to operate the new courts until next financial year.
A $19.1 million cut to CSV’s budget for 2024-25 has already led to between 50-60 staff losing their jobs; a fact confirmed by CSV CEO Louise Anderson before the State Parliament’s Public Accounts and Estimates Committee.
While Victorians suffer from the worst court backlogs in the nation, an empty Wyndham Law Court development will stand as a tribute to Labor’s inability to manage money.
Shadow Attorney-General, Michael O’Brien, said: “Victorians already face the worst court backlogs in the country. Delaying the Wyndham Law Courts will force more Victorians to wait even longer for access to justice.
“Only a Labor government would fund a new court complex without the money to operate it. It is like an episode of ‘Yes, Minister’ – except it isn’t funny.
“While Victorians in Melbourne’s booming western suburbs are ignored yet again, Premier Allan is determined to borrow hundreds of billions of dollars for her Suburban Rail Loop tunnel vision across town.
“This farce proves yet again that Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage major projects and Victorians are left to pay the price.”