SA Chief Justice Chris Kourakis says allegedly bullied sheriff’s officers will get to vote on whether they leave court control

Parliament says they have been subjected to bullying and despotic control – now the state’s top judge says court sheriff’s officers will vote on their future.

Chief Justice Chris Kourakis, left, sitting alongside Attorney-General Vickie Chapman as he is questioned about the court sheriff's officers report. Picture: Dean Martin

Sheriff’s officers who have, a report asserts, suffered decades of managerial bullying will get to vote on who oversees their role going forward, the state’s top judge says.

Chief Justice Chris Kourakis has also vowed to do all in his power to ensure a respectful workplace should officers choose to stay with the Courts Administration Authority.

He told parliament a committee report outlining the CAA’s “belligerence”, recommending officers instead be overseen by the Department for Correctional Services, “surprised” him.

He said that no allegations of systemic bullying had been brought to his attention since his 2012 appointment, despite his good personal relationship with the officers.

He was also surprised the committee had declined to share with him the identities of sheriff’s officers who had given evidence anonymously.

“I’m not denying it (the allegations), I’m just making the observation that I’ve not seen the confidential material,” he said.

“If the committee’s findings are right, I would expect a large number of sheriff’s officers – the majority – to elect to move to DCS, and I will support that.

“If they decide to stay, and I hope they will, I will do everything in my power to ensure their workplace is one in which respectful behaviours are prevalent.”

Chief Justice Kourakis, centre left, spoke a day after the report’s contents became public. Picture: Dean Martin.

On Monday, The Advertiser revealed a parliamentary committee had found officers had “suffered in silence over many, many years” in a “belligerent and bullying culture”.

Its report said the CAA’s “grossly inadequate” management and leadership had significantly impacted officers, costing taxpayers more than $1.6 million a year in workplace compensation.

It recommended the CAA be stripped of its “despotic” authority, and the officers transferred into the oversight of the Department for Correctional Services.

In an estimates hearing on Monday, Chief Justice Kourakis conceded he had yet to read all 253 pages of the report and was taking it “on face value”.

He also conceded he did not know how many officers had been disciplined, dismissed or resigned due to stress or mental health issues.

He said that, over the next four months, the CAA would undertake a two-step process in which independent providers would:

ESTABLISH a new “grievance body” for officers to complain directly to SA’s courts council – Chief Judge Michael Evans, chief magistrate Judge Mary-Louise Hribal and himself.

EMBARK on a process in which officers would receive information about the “implications” of moving to DCS, and then take votes – by name or anonymously – from them.

Sheriff’s officers work at the front doors of, and in the cells and court rooms of, the Sir Samuel Way Building and courts around the state.

Chief Justice Kourakis said the Public Service Association – which had “not raised the question of bullying or harassment” with him during his tenure – would also be involved.

“There is complexity to this … it is not a simple matter … the sheriff’s office’s functions are so diverse,” he said.

He said there was little issue with cells and front door staff moving to DCS but warned against “bifurcating” control of “specialist” staff who manage court rooms and juries.

He reiterated his support for State Courts Administrator Julie-Anne Burgess who, the report asserted, altered the rosters of officers who gave evidence to the committee.

“On the material made publicly available, I would not hesitate and do not hesitate to recommend her reappointment,” he said.

Attorney-General Vickie Chapman said the committee’s report “may well be a consideration” when Ms Burgess’ reappointment was considered.

Independent MP Geoff Brock, who referred the CAA to the committee, welcomed its recommendations.

“The bullying has been systemic … government and its associated bodies need to operate under a higher standard and this unacceptable treatment needs to be stamped out,” he said.

“Every employee has the right to feel safe in their workplace, and a government workplace is no exception.”