Nationals member calls for action on JP shortage

NATIONALS’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has claimed “a chronic shortage” of justices of the peace is having a negative impact on residents in this part of Victoria.

Ms Broad said JPs provided an important free service, acting as independent and objective witnesses for documents used in legal and official processes.

“I recently met with a JP in Kennington who raised serious concerns about the shortage and the urgent need to encourage more people to undertake the appropriate training and become registered,” she told State Parliament last week.

“Compared to states like New South Wales and Queensland, Victoria has significantly fewer JPs, and the current number simply isn’t keeping pace with population growth.

“This shortfall is placing increasing pressure on the few JPs who are active and making it difficult for residents, particularly in regional areas, to access this important service in a timely way.”

Ms Broad formally asked the Attorney-General to outline what steps the State Government is taking to recruit, retain and support more JPs across Northern Victoria to ensure this essential service remains accessible to regional communities.

“Why is the Government currently not recruiting justices of the peace?” she asked.

“Is it because they’ve simply run out of funds to conduct the training?”

The Victorian Government’s Justice and Community website indeed states that justices of the peace are not currently being recruited and updates will be provided when available.