Wednesday the 19th of February 2025
Victorian Legislative Council
Rachel asked a question in parliament on behalf of a constituent, around a shortage of access to Justices of the Peace in areas of her electorate.
Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) — To ask the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation (for the Attorney-General):
My constituency question is for the Attorney-General. My constituent is a resident of Mordialloc. Like many others in our community, she recently needed a document witnessed by a justice of the peace. What she anticipated to be a relatively straightforward process became quite the opposite.
Unable to visit her nearest document-signing station, where a JP is only available Wednesday mornings, she contacted several police stations and was told that they no longer offer JP services. When reaching out to individual JPs, three out of the four she spoke to were unable to attend, as they were sick in hospital. There are simply not enough JPs to meet the needs of the community.
So, my constituent asks: will you commit to increasing the number of active and available JPs in the south-east electorate to ensure improved access to this essential community service?
Response Received, Wednesday the 12th of March:
I thank the member for her question and would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the dedicated services that justices of the peace (JPs) provide to the Victorian Community.
The Department of Justice and Community Safety has undertaken an extensive recruitment campaign for approximately 800 new justices of the peace. Successful candidates undergo a probity assessment, undertake training, and are then considered for appointment by the Governor in Council. I have been advised that over 600 justices of the peace have already been appointed, with the remainder being considered by the Governor in Council by the end of the first quarter of this year.
In addition to the 6 JPs registered as available to offer their services in Mordialloc, I note that there are approximately 52 JPs available across the City of Kingston, which encompasses the areas of Mordialloc, Braeside, Aspendale, Mentone, Cheltenham and Edithvale. These JPs are listed on the department’s website at Find a Justice of the Peace by appointment | Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria.
In relation to the availability of JPs at document signing stations, I note that while JPs are required to be active, the way in which they offer their services is not prescribed. JPs may elect to offer services in person via appointment, remotely, or at a document signing station. This provides Victorians with several avenues to access their services.
Any further JP recruitment campaigns will be based on demand modelling as to areas of need, and be subject to funding consideration as part of annual budget processes.
The Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP
Attorney-General
Minister for Planning
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