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Danny O'Brien criticises Labor for closing Sale and Bairnsdale courts on non-sitting days, inconveniencing locals
Danny O'Brien condemns the Labor government for closing Sale and Bairnsdale courts on non-sitting days, restricting public access and causing significant inconvenience for Gippsland communities who rely on local court assistance.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien says the Allan Labor government is continuing to make life harder for Gippslanders with the Sale and Bairnsdale courts now set to close their doors to the public on non-sitting days.
Danny O'Brien said court closures reflect broader frontline service reductions, limiting essential public access despite higher taxes, making community support harder to obtain
Court access cuts
Mr O'Brien said the change, introduced without warning, will cause inconvenience for locals who rely on the court for assistance. "These closures mean community members will only be able to access courts on sitting days, when staff are already stretched managing daily court business."
"People regularly come to the courts for help filing documents, asking questions about self-representation or seeking advice on privacy and other sensitive matters. Limiting access will make all of this much harder for local communities," Mr O'Brien said.
Mr O'Brien said the move follows a broader pattern of reduced frontline services, including DEECA offices in the region closing to the public on some days. "Households are paying more in taxes and levies, yet access to essential services continues to be reduced. Closing regional courts to the public is a step in the wrong direction. Communities need practical access to services and this change makes it harder for people to get the help many rely on," Mr O'Brien said.
Pictures from Danny O'Brien MP Instagram page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
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