Reports have surfaced that the Victorian government is set to cut public access to Wangaratta Magistrates' Court although to what extent remains unclear.
It's understood to be part of the government's urgency to cut public service staff by 3000 in an attempt to control Victoria's spiralling debt.
The cuts were foreshadowed by Shadow Attorney General Michael O'Brien and Liberal MP for Benambra Bill Tilley in June this year after the CEO of Court Services Victoria (CSV), Louise Anderson said during Parliament’s Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC), that Victoria’s courts are now “identifying what activities may need to stop” because of Labor’s budget cuts.
The hearing heard CSV had been ordered to find over $106 million in savings over the next four years, starting with $26.1 million in 2025-26.
At the time CSV refused to rule out even more staff cuts, including to frontline services, or to guarantee that Victorian courts will not be closed as a cost-saving exercise.
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The Wangaratta Chronicle understands court staff were told of the impending cuts last week, which could be implemented as early as next week.
When contacted by the Wangaratta Chronicle the Premier's media office directed the enquiry to Court Service Victoria who would neither confirm or deny the cuts at Wangaratta Magistrates' Court or if this would be regional or statewide.
In statement from Magistrates' Court Victoria received just moments before going to press on Thursday, it was confirmed that changes were about to be made in Wangaratta at least although no clarification was given on the rest of the state.
"The Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court will remain open for in-person services five days per week, excluding designated non-sitting days, where no court hearings are scheduled," the statement said.
The Chronicle sought clarification on the term "designated non-sitting day" but there was no answer on the MCV contact number nor response via email before going to press.
The statement continued, "On the non-sitting days at Wangaratta, court registry services will be available remotely."
"Court users can continue to access services and information on all days of the year except public holidays by calling 9087 5728 or via email: wangarattacoordinator@courts.vic.gov.au.
"There are 14 non-sitting days scheduled for Wangaratta for the remainder of 2025.
"The list of non-sitting days for Wangaratta will be available on the MCV website on 14 July."
It appears the situation will become more certain on 14 July, however, concerns remain regarding each Tuesday and Thursday at Wangaratta when no court hearings are generally scheduled, unless there is urgent demand.
Mr Tilley said this is a disgrace.
"This is the real-life consequence of a government that prioritises tunnels in Melbourne over justice, a Melbourne-centric government that would prefer to cut money from the justice system to pay down a record debt that is now costing Victorians about $25m a day in interest alone," Mr Tilley said.
"This will put even greater pressure on our court system, a system already struggling with a backlog, a system that deals with important matters including family violence.
"This is also unfair on those who don't have access or simply aren't comfortable going online.
"We also have no certainty that this is all the days that the doors will be closed."
