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OAKESHOTT INDEPENDENT

OAKESHOTT WELCOMES THE NEW FULL-TIME COURT CIRCUIT FOR PORT MACQUARIE

 

Independent MP for Port Macquarie, Robert Oakeshott, today welcomed news from the NSW Chief Magistrate, Graeme Henson, that Port Macquarie will become a stand alone full-time Court.

"This will assist greatly with the delivery of better justice outcomes in a more timely fashion, Mr Oakeshott said.

"Port Macquarie has been a high demand circuit for some time due to the growth in the area, and due to the fact it has been expected to cover Wauchope and Kempsey as well as the demands of Port Macquarie. By splitting the Circuit in two, Port Macquarie can now become a full-time Circuit of its own, and this is certainly welcomed, said Mr Oakeshott.

"The challenge now is to make sure resourcing and personnel for the full-time Circuit is provided by the Government as part of the restructure. It is a concern that there has been no expansion, at this stage, of the funding allocated to local Courts to reflect these welcome changes, and this is the challenge of MP's such as myself to try and get the State Budget to reflect the needs occurring on the ground here in Port Macquarie, said Mr Oakeshott.

"Overall, this is a welcome breakthrough and will help the local community and the Court do a better job. In particular, the wait for justice will shorten, and this is an important outcome in itself, Mr Oakeshott said today.

7 April 2008