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The Community Alliance Party will ensure that the process of appointing judges and magistrates becomes more transparent. "We gladly acknowledge the merits of our judicial system, but we will seek ways to make it better still," says Community Alliance spokesperson on Justice, Dr Alvin Hopper.
"It is important to have greater community consultation, and not just the traditional behind-closed-doors approach," he says. "A statement of the background, experience and qualifications of an appointee will be laid before the Assembly. This accords with our commitment to community involvement in how our Territory is run." The Community Alliance also proposes to give ACT courts control over use of funds voted to them by the Assembly. "It will be comparable to the scheme that has operated successfully for over two decades in the case of the High Court of Australia. Under that scheme, the High Court has its own administration, giving it enhanced independence, efficiency and status," Dr Hopper explains. The operation of the court system must be monitored in collaboration with the judiciary and court officials, to minimise unnecessary delays, whether caused by systemic failure or shortcomings of lawyers. Any problems must be promptly dealt with. The jury system, which dates back many centuries, is one of the cornerstones of our freedoms. The safeguards that it offers must not be whittled away. To help ensure that it is properly understood and valued, the Community Alliance supports public education on the role of the jury. "Our aim is to help people be better informed about our justice system and more involved with it," says Dr Hopper. Another important initiative of the Community Alliance will be in the area of law reform, with a view to making it easier for community groups and individuals to raise concerns about the current state of the law and to suggest reforms. "We propose the creation of a body of voluntary members to recommend appropriate reforms. This body will encourage community involvement, and monitor interstate changes in law, with a view to recommending their implementation in the ACT when appropriate," said Dr Hopper. Dr Hopper comments: "This will help achieve our aim of getting community participation in our justice system, while safeguarding the independence of the judiciary. In addition, the Community Alliance will review the operation of the legal aid scheme, to iron out any deficiencies or inequalities, while ensuring that it provides the best value for money." Contact: Dr Alvin Hopper |
Media Releases 
The Community Alliance Party is a dynamic alliance of ACT residents, community groups, and business people. We are seeking to establish balanced government and to make our Capital a better and more affordable place to live. We will achieve this through:
