Questions remain over Griffith courthouse security

The alleged incident saw a sex offender slit his own wrists and throat after smuggling a sharp implement into a courtroom as his verdict was being handed down. 

Inquiries were made by NSW Government by Shadow Attorney General Paul Lynch in parliamentary question time.

He asked after the number of security staff at Griffith Court House and whether there are any plans to fund metal detectors or extra staff. 

The response advised the NSW Sheriff’s Office, who are in charge of court security, do not discuss sheriff allocations as a matter of security.

“For safety reasons, the Office of the Sheriff does not disclose security arrangements,” they said. 

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Mr Lynch says this shows a clear lack of transparency on the part of the government. 

“The Government clearly has no intention of answering questions about the degree of security of Griffith Court House,” he said.

“There are as little committed to transparency as to safety. You can only assume inadequate security is being provided – as otherwise they would telling the community the details.” 

In the wake of the incident, solicitors from Griffith and Wagga called for an “urgent” security review of courthouses in the region. The NSW Sheriff said in March it had deployed four new recruits to Riverina courts in the two years. 

"The NSW Sheriff is continually reviewing security in courts to ensure the safety of its users. Fifty eight new Sheriff's Officers were appointed in 2017,” he said. 

“In the last two years, four new recruits have been deployed to Riverina courts. One of the additional officers is based at Griffith and supports other nearby courts five days a month.”

Comparatively, at courts in Wagga and Albury where District Court also sits, metal detectors are in place. Griffith court does not require any kind of security check upon entry.