Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

You're providing an extra judge and some other matters in Adelaide. Last week the Law Society of Tasmania president told The Advocate that, following the retirement of the Hobart based judge last year, the Morrison government's failure to appoint a new judge to hear family law cases in Tasmania is leading to unacceptable delays and angst for Tasmanian families. The President of the Law Society of Tasmania, Trevor McKenna, told the newspaper that he had raised the matter directly with the Attorney-General before the judge retired, and yet no replacement has been appointed. Let me quote directly:

The lack of a replacement judge means the state is left with one hard working specialist judge doing the work of two judges tackling difficult issues including family violence, child abuse and mental health.

The delays in hearing cases exacerbate the emotions flowing from people separating.

It is a concern not only to the legal profession but to the many Tasmanian families coming before the court that there has been no announcement.

…   …   …

There is a single judge working tirelessly to assist families in resolving their complex disputes.

It is unreasonable and unacceptable to expect a single judge should have undertake the work of two judges.

So given that there are additional resources being found for Adelaide, why is the Morrison government forcing Tasmanian families to wait months and months for a replacement judge? Why is it that this level of discrimination occurs so that you can buy a vote in this chamber?