Media Release | 16 May 2026
Hon Nick Goiran MLC
Shadow Attorney General; Child Protection
Adam Hort MLA
Shadow Police Minister; Corrective Services; Youth
An extraordinary Public Notice signed by Western Australia’s judicial leaders has confirmed Western Australia’s regional justice system is in crisis, with more than 20 courthouses across the state set to close from June 1 for three months.
The Public Notice – signed by the Chief Justice of Western Australia Peter Quinlan, Chief Judge of the District Court Julie Wager, President of the Children’s Court Hylton Quail and Chief Magistrate of the Magistrates Court Steven Heath – warns that criminal court sittings across much of regional and remote Western Australia will be vacated because court security and custodial services cannot be guaranteed.
Shadow Attorney Nick Goiran said the situation raised serious questions about the Cook Labor Government’s management of the justice system.
He said the disruption would inevitably affect vulnerable victims, children, witnesses, police officers, accused persons and already strained regional communities.
“Victims awaiting hearings, families travelling long distances, police already under pressure and accused persons waiting for matters to be resolved will all pay the price for this failure,” he said.
“This is not a minor administrative issue, it is a system-wide failure at the heart of regional justice in Western Australia.”
Shadow Police Minister Adam Hort also said the Public Notice was an indictment of the Cook Labor Government’s management of policing in regional WA.
“Regional crime is the worst ever recorded, every police district is understaffed, and now basic court services cannot be guaranteed,” Mr Hort said.
“When police are stretched trying to respond to record levels of regional crime, it is no wonder they are being pulled away from court security and custodial duties.”
Further Comments Attributable to the Shadow Attorney-General:
“It was extraordinary that the State’s senior judicial leaders had been forced to publicly warn that basic criminal justice operations could no longer be safely maintained in regional WA.
“When the courts themselves publicly warn that criminal sittings cannot proceed because security and custodial services are unavailable, every Western Australian should be deeply concerned,” he said.
“Regional communities should not be forced to accept a second-class justice system.
“This comes amid worsening court delays, growing pressure on police resources and ongoing concerns about the Government’s handling of the justice portfolio.
“The Government must explain how Western Australia reached the point where the courts themselves are effectively warning that criminal proceedings in parts of the State cannot safely continue.”
Further comments attributable to the Shadow Police Minister:
“The Cook Labor Government must urgently outline what immediate action is being taken to restore reliable court operations across regional Western Australia.
“The latest figures show police numbers in regional WA have gone backwards, yet this Budget contained no serious plan to address the recruitment and retention crisis.”
