In a busy visit to Armidale, UNE and Guyra last Friday, the NSW Attorney General, the Hon Greg Smith SC MP inspected the Armidale Court House and the site where the new $15 milion. complex is to be built.
The Attorney General met with Armidale Court House staff, including Magistrate Mark Richardson and local Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Jim McDonald, who said that the new court house and associated facilities will make a huge difference to all involved (or all who come into contact) with the judicial system in the Armidale area.
Mr Smith also met with community groups to discuss crime and justice, including Aboriginal Elders who are central to the Circle Sentencing program in Armidale.
Guyra based MLC, Scot MacDonald, said the Attorney General is the most senior member of the Liberal National Government to visit the Northern Tablelands and such interest in the Northern Tablelands is good to see.
Gunnedah based Nationals MLC Sarah Mitchell was also travelling with the Attorney General.
Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay commended the Attorney General and the new Coalition Government in agreeing to move ahead with the new Armidale Court House project.
He said that the Attorney General and, more broadly, the O’Farrell Government needs to do more to increase judicial staffing levels, reduce workloads and the timeframes of legal proceedings.
With about 70 per cent of NSW currently open to mining exploration, Mr Torbay also said that the State Government needs to conduct a review into property rights so that, in legal terms, farmers can find surety in where they stand, as well as in their investments into rural lands and business operations.
Story: Gary Fry
