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Thursday, 29 November 2012
Page: 10206

Senator WRIGHT (South Australia) (11:57): I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 21 March 2013:

The impact of recent proposed federal court fee increases on access to justice in Australia, with particular reference to:

(a) the impact of federal court fee increases on low income and ordinary Australians and operators of small business;

(b) whether recent and proposed fee increases are reasonable, based on evidence and consistent with other justice policy matters;

(c) how increases in court fees, and other reform to the courts and justice system, can act as a barrier to accessing justice;

(d) the extent to which court fee increases may impact on services provided by legal assistance services, i.e. legal aid commissions, ATSILS, FVPLS and CLCs; and

(e) other relevant matters.

Question negatived.