ACT Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay says the government is yet to decide whether the territory needs a full-time coroner, but is examining other ways of reducing the backlog in the court.
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In the ACT Coroner's Court 2015/16 Annual Report, tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, chief coroner Lorraine Walker again asked for a dedicated coroner for the region.
Currently coronal work is shared between ACT magistrates, which meant it played second fiddle to general magistrate duties, Ms Walker wrote.
Earlier this month, the Productivity Commission's 2017 Report on Government Services showed the ACT Coroner's Court clearance rate was 85 in the year 2015-16, the lowest of all states and territories, and below the national average of 99.3.
On Wednesday, ACT Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay told Fairfax Media he had met with Ms Walker in December to discuss her concerns.
While he said he was "committed to implementing reform", he also said the scope of the coroner's work had been significantly narrowed.
As such, Mr Ramsay said last year's annual report showed the workload of the coroner's court was down from the previous year, as part of a trend since 2007.
"Issues affecting the coroner's court continue to be closely monitored by the government and, while the last annual report shows many achievements, I recognise there is more work to do," Mr Ramsay said.
"I am currently considering options to improve the service provided in consultation with the chief coroner."
Mr Ramsay said the government had not taken a decision on a dedicated coroner but noted other amendments and administrative improvements had also reduced coronial workloads.
"Chief Magistrate Walker's annual report notes that the newly created legal manager position has contributed to 'cases are progressing more efficiently and quickly'," Mr Ramsay said.
"This government has worked in partnership with the courts to significantly improve efficiency and the backlog of cases and is continuing this work as a priority.
"I am committed to implementing reform and identifying how this government can best use community resources to deliver improved access to justice. The decision will be one that considers all options to ensure the best possible use of limited community resources."
