The Government will expand the powers of Community Magistrates in an effort to reduce delays and ease pressure on the District Court, Associate Justice and Courts Minister Nicole McKee announced today.
Legislation to be introduced early next year will allow Community Magistrates to take guilty pleas for all offences except those reserved for the High Court, as well as manage a broader range of cases within the District Court. They will also be able to preside over some trials and order pre-sentence reports to assist judges at sentencing.
“This is a practical step to improve how our courts function day to day,” McKee said. “Allowing Community Magistrates to handle more straightforward cases means District Court Judges can focus on complex matters, helping reduce the long waits that frustrate victims and delay justice.”
While Magistrates will continue to be restricted from imposing custodial sentences such as imprisonment or home detention, they will retain the authority to issue community-based penalties, including supervision, community service, and fines. Cases that may result in imprisonment will still go before a judge for sentencing.
The changes are backed by $1.7 million annually in Budget 2025 to fund three additional Community Magistrates and the appointment of a Chief Community Magistrate to oversee training and consistency. The reforms will amend the District Court Act 2016, the Criminal Procedure Act 2011, and the Bail Act 2000.
McKee said the move forms part of a wider push to improve efficiency in the justice system. “Delays in court proceedings can retraumatise victims, and we are committed to delivering justice faster. Criminal adjournments have already dropped significantly over the past two years, and expanding the Community Magistrate role will build on that momentum.”
Image credit: Planet Volumes
The new “shake and bake” judiciary, to process people quickly and without care, through an already corrupt, discriminatory system, in urgent need of genuine reform.
Only with those who are scared and unfamiliar of the process or gullible enough to be coerced into pleading guilty.
You have the RIGHT to remain SILENT. Use it.
Speeding up the in-justice system, full of woke, me-too, feminist, subversive, corrupt bias.