Justice system must be a priority in State Election
Updated: 20 March 2026
The Law Society has urged parties to address the longstanding under-investment in the justice system as South Australians prepare to lodge their votes in Saturday's State Election.
As outlined in the Law Society’s State Election platform, its key priorities include:
- Major court upgrades to significantly improve safety standards and meet the growing demand on the justice system;
- Developing a procurement policy that prioritises and supports South Australian legal practices
- Increasing funding for legal aid and legal assistance services, particularly in regional areas
- Investing in diversionary and intervention programs aimed at reducing youth crime
- Updating and reforming South Australia’s power of attorney laws
- Implementing a human rights framework into legislation
The Law Society's State Election hub monitors and evaluates parties’ pre-election announcements related to the justice system and legal profession.
The Society has responded to several party announcements and reports, including:
The online hub has also published responses from parties and independents to the Law Society’s State Election Platform.
Law Society President David Colovic said: “It is more important than ever for our justice system to be robust, efficient and independent.”
“The Rule of Law is essential to a functioning democracy. If the justice system is not properly equipped to uphold it, the public starts to lose trust in the justice system, and the democratic foundations of our society start to erode.”
“The Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence highlighted what the profession and judiciary have known for a long time – that much of our court infrastructure is simply not fit for purpose.”
“Many of our court buildings are deteriorating, over-capacity, and lack safety standards, and we are in the midst of a legal aid crisis.”
“We need better court facilities, more lawyers to conduct legal aid and legal assistance work, evidence-based crime reduction initiatives, a law reform agenda that protects people’s rights, and policies that prioritise and support local practitioners to conduct local work.”