THE HON MARK DREYFUS KC MP
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
CABINET SECRETARY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
THE HON KRISTY MCBAIN MP
MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND TERRITORIES
Better access to justice for remote and regional areas
The Albanese Government will improve access to justice for Australians in remote and regional areas seeking reviews of government decisions.
The new Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) provides efficient, accessible, independent and fair services for the tens of thousands of people every year who seek independent review of government decisions, such as whether they qualify for an age pension, are compensated for an injury they suffered while serving their nation or receive NDIS funding for essential support.
The Government is providing $0.8m in funding to enable the ART to conduct hearings in regional and remote communities around Australia.
This new funding will enhance the ability of people living in and near those communities to seek reviews of government decision.
It will enable people living in regional and remote communities to deal directly with the ART rather than having rely on video or telephone hearings or lengthy travel to capital city registries.
The investment in access to justice regional and remote communities across Australia is part of a $9.6m package of funding announced in the 2024-25 Budget to ensure the accessibility of the new Tribunal that includes:
- improved accessibility for users
- a responsive, demand-driven funding model
- more flexible procedures and greater harmonisation across different case types
- mechanisms to effectively escalate issues of significance to administrative law and decision-making, and
- funding for a new case management system.
More information about the reform and key features of the ART is available on the department’s website.
Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC MP
“The Albanese Government’s new Administrative Review Tribunal is ensuring all Australians have independent and fair access to judicial reviews of government decision that affect them.
“These reforms will ensure the ART works for all Australians, not just those who live in the major cities and towns.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain MP
“From aviation, banking, education and training, and healthcare – the Albanese Government is ensuring that postcodes aren’t a barrier when it comes to accessing important services in regional and rural Australia.
“We’re also improving access to essential government services, and making it easier for people living outside of our big cities to engage with the Administrative Review Tribunal in a timely, fair and flexible way closer to home.”
Sunday, 16 February 2025
