$19.3m for NSW courtroom AV link upgrades

The New South Wales government will spend $19.3 million to upgrade dozens of courthouses across the state with high-definition Audio-Visual Link (AVL) technology.

So far AVL updates have been completed at 10 district courts, seven local court courtrooms and six children's court courtrooms.

Further upgrades will be undertaken at Sydney's NSW Supreme Court and courthouses in Blacktown, Windsor and Mudgee.

NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman said AVL technology can save millions by eliminating the cost of transporting defendants or prisoners across the state for bail applications, sentence hearings and other required short appearances.

“Most importantly, it allows children and other vulnerable victims to give 'in camera' evidence from a private safe room, reducing the stress and trauma of taking part in the criminal and civil justice system," he said.

"It also enables expert witnesses, who cannot travel, to provide evidence from regional, interstate or overseas locations."

He added that AVL testimony is also a safer option for inmates, detainees, court staff and the community at large.

"By connecting our vast network of courthouses and justice facilities we can get on with the job of delivering better services for all court users in this digital age."

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