Gunnedah Courthouse will itself be under investigation to ensure it isn’t behind the times.
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Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said this week he had met with NSW Attorney-General Gabrielle Upton to talk about possible upgrades to the Gunnedah Courthouse.
Mr Anderson said he talked to the Attorney-General about the need to ensure the courthouse was equipped with the modern technology used at larger courthouses in the state.
He also said he would himself inspect facilities next week to help identify what safety and efficiency upgrades were needed.
“There have been technological changes to the way the courts operate nowadays and it’s important that regional courthouses like Gunnedah’s aren’t left behind the times,” Mr Anderson said.
“Some of the things I will be looking at include capabilities for electronic evidence and if there is a necessity for in-person contact for prisoners, victims and witnesses.
“The safety of our community is always the greatest priority so if there are systems which help reduce the risk to the community during court proceedings then I would like to see those implemented.
“We also need to take steps to help make justice fast, fair and accessible for anyone involved in a court trial in Gunnedah.”
Mr Anderson said he also wanted to ensure police were not “tied up with costly prisoner transfers” where possible, but were instead out on the streets “where they belong”.
“I will be having discussions with local police and courthouse staff to identify what technological challenges they face and what we can do to overcome those challenges and then I will be relaying that information directly to the Attorney General, the Hon Gabrielle Upton,” he said.
Gunnedah is among the NSW courthouses caught up in Operation Yancey, an Independent Commision Against Corruption (ICAC) inquiry investigating corruption allegations against Department of Justice Asset Management Branch deputy director capital works, Anthony Andjic.
It is alleged Mr Andjic abused procurement processes in the awarding of contracts to refurbish NSW courthouses, including Gunnedah Courthouse, in 2013.
Among the ICAC exhibits is a $36,245 invoice for work at Gunnedah Courthouse, including fixing the courtroom door. No work is believed to have been done.
Mr Anderson said he had fought hard for money for upgrades to the Gunnedah Hospital and Gunnedah Police Station, and would fight to see Gunnedah’s courthouse “brought into the times”.
Details of the police station upgrade have not yet been released. The government is considering alternative office space for the station during the upgrade.
