Media Statement: Queensland Court recordings
April 22, 2015
Auscript is required under its contract with the Department of Justice to record, transcribe and back up all court proceedings in Queensland Courts. This includes recording a full-time back-up of all courts, to ensure that no recordings are missed.
This is the same practice that has occurred in Queensland Courts for around 10 years – prior to Auscript taking over the operations in 2013. As a result, “out of session” recordings have always been captured and stored since the digitisation of courts in 2005.
The Recording of Evidence Act deals with out of session recording, and makes it clear that no person may have access to recordings or transcripts of out of session courts. Auscript complies with this legislation, and our contract clearly stipulates how this material is to be securely stored.
There are notices in all Courtrooms clearly showing that courts recorded at all times.
No concerns have been raised by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General in relation to the Baden-Clay trial.