Rachel asked a written question around statistics on Justices of the Peace in Victoria. A response is due from the minister on the 9th of October.

Tuesday the 9th of September, 2025

Rachel Payne (South-Eastern Metropolitan):

To ask the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation (for the Attorney-General): 

In relation to Justices of the Peace (JPs) in Victoria:

(1) How many of the 4,000 registered JPs who are required to be reasonably active and available in their duties, but have disconnected phones, are considered active.

(2) What is the reason for the disparity of the number of JPs per 100,000 citizens in Victoria and how will Victoria keep up with demand, given Victoria only has 50 JPs per 100,000 citizens compared to 1,432 per 100,000 in Queensland and 893 per 100,000 in New South Wales.

(3) Will the Attorney-General commit to recruiting 5,000 new JPs by 2027 and 500 JPs per annum thereafter, as called for in the Honorary Justice Services Support petition signed by 5,739 citizens of Victoria and tabled in the Legislative Council on Tuesday, 17 June 2025.

(4) Why is the Department of Justice and Community Safety not recruiting new JPs and is there a record kept of all those who have expressed an interest in future recruitment drives.

(5) What strategies are in place to address staff shortages and high turnover in the Honorary Justice Services Support.

(6) What are the key performance indicators for the Honorary Justice Services Support, how are they audited and why is this information not publicly available.

(7) Why is the Honorary Justice Services Support recruitment based on local government areas rather than areas of greatest need.

(8) What steps are being taken to ensure that all Victorians can access the free and trusted services of a JP, given pharmacists and Australia Post charge to witness documents and police stations are often too busy to assist.

(9) Given that JPs are often left to remedy mistakes made by fee-charging authorised witnesses, how are these failures being addressed.

(10) Would the Government consider changes to the Honorary Justice Services Support JP induction and training so that it can be delivered in collaboration with the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices.

[Written response pending]

> Ongoing JP Shortage Impacts Victoria’s LGBTQIA+ Community – Rachel Payne
> Justice of the Peace shortage in South-Eastern suburbs – Rachel Payne

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