Tuesday, 17 June 2025

Honorary justices

Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) presented a petition bearing 5739 signatures:

The Petition of certain citizens of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council the imminent collapse of Victoria’s Honorary Justice System with less than 3,500 Justices of the Peace (JPs), many of whom are not active, serving a population of seven million. While Queensland has 80,000 and New South Wales has 75,800, Victoria’s shortfall places additional strain on the already under-resourced police. Access to justice is further undermined by government-approved ‘authorised witnesses’ who, unlike JPs, often charge fees, lack training, and are not accountable.

The Petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council require the Attorney General to enact systemic change in the effectiveness and engagement of the Honorary Justices Services Support, resulting in the recruitment of 5000 new JPs by 2027 and 500 new JPs per annum, thereafter.

Rachel PAYNE: As this is a petition qualifying for debate under standing order 11.03(10), I give notice that I intend to move ‘That the petition be taken into consideration’ on Wednesday of next sitting week.