Statement in response to the Administration of Victorian Courts Performance Audit

The following statement is from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Chair of Courts Council, Anne Ferguson

We welcome the report from the Victorian Auditor-General's Office (VAGO) into the administration of services and facilities to Victoria's Courts and tribunals.

The VAGO report highlights some of the challenges Court Services Victoria (CSV) has experienced since it was established by legislation in 2014 to support the operation of the Courts and tribunals independently of the direction of the executive branch of government.

The report recognises some of the improvements CSV has made and provided a valuable opportunity to examine how CSV can further improve its corporate practice and governance.

Over time CSV has improved its planning and risk management arrangements, culminating in a new strategic plan that maps out a path to more effectively supporting the Victorian courts and VCAT.  

We understand that more needs to be done.

CSV has accepted 12 of the 13 VAGO recommendations in full and one recommendation in principle, noting that any amendment to Budget Paper 3 measures is a matter for Government. 

Progress on nine of the 13 recommendations is already well underway and CSV has assigned a dedicated resource to coordinate full implementation of the improvements highlighted in the VAGO report. 

I thank the CSV workforce for its dedication over the past 18 months in particular for their efforts to support the courts and VCAT to continue to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

I also acknowledge and thank VAGO for the productive way in which the audit was conducted