SA judges to receive $1000 a year to increase home security

SOUTH Australian judges have been given a new yearly allowance to install and operate security systems in their houses after the homes of two were targeted.

SOUTH Australian judges have been given a new $1000-a-year allowance to install and operate security systems in their houses after the homes of two were targeted.

The allowance will go to all Supreme Court judges and magistrates, as well as the Coroner and commissioners of the Industrial Relations Tribunal and environment and development court.

The independent Remuneration Tribunal found the allowance was just one measure needed to defend judges, who have recently experienced home invasions, and that there is a “substantive level of risk to the personal safety of judicial officers” which poses workplace dangers.

A court this year head Judge Rauf Soulio was sleeping inside his North Adelaide home in June last year when Cecil Spencer Wilson broke in and stole documents, jewellery and electronic goods.

In a separate court case last year, two prisoners were acquitted of plotting to murder married judges Paul Rice and Rosemary Davey after a trial in which it was alleged one man offered to pay another $15,000 to firebomb their house and also target a police officer.

The application for home security money was made to the Tribunal by the Judicial Remuneration Coordinating Committee and supported by Premier Jay Weatherill.

It took effect on July 1.

The Tribunal found that judges were increasingly being expected to work from home, and it was reasonable to expect security both at home and in formal court precincts was of high standard.

“In the early 21st Century, what might comprise the place of employment has attracted a broader perception than simply a workshop, office, construction site or other similar geographically defined location,” the Tribunal says.

“With growth of the service economy and contemporary employment practices, such as working from home and more mobile employment activity, the law has grown to accommodate a more expansive conception of where work is performed.

“Prevalent use of information technology and remote access has become a feature of judicial officers’ employment.

“Judicial officers frequently, if not consistently, perform their duties not only at the court buildings and their chambers, but are commonly required to work from home.”

The Crown Solicitor’s Office appeared at two Tribunal hearings on Mr Weatherill’s behalf.

It said the $1000 allowance was better than reimbursing judges for their personal security costs because it would be administratively simpler.

The Judicial Remuneration Coordinating Committee said 80 to 90 judges already had home alarm systems and should be given freedom to choose their own mode of protection.

WHO GETS IT

Chief Justice and Supreme Court judges

Chief Judge, judges and masters of the District Court

Chief Magistrate and magistrates

Coroner and Deputy Coroner

Environment, Resources and Development Court commissioners

President, Deputy President and Commissioners of Industrial Relations Commission