SAVE VICTORIA’S JP SYSTEM!
The issue
VICTORIA NEEDS 5000 JPs NOW!
Victoria’s Justice of the Peace (JP) system is facing an unprecedented crisis. For generations, JPs have been the backbone of our legal system, guaranteeing the integrity of documents that underpin our daily lives and protect our rights. Today, this vital institution is on the verge of collapse, and decisive action is needed to prevent irreparable harm.
Victoria currently has fewer than 2000 active JPs. By comparison, Queensland has 80,000 and New South Wales has 75,000 JPs. This is not fair to the citizens of Victoria, nor to the rapidly aging few JPs who remain.
Recent government policy has shifted responsibility away from JPs to so-called ‘Authorised Witnesses,’ destabilising a system that has served our communities for over a century. This move has led to widespread confusion, inadequate witnessing of critical documents, and forced Victorians to pay for services that should be freely available to all.
The result? Countless individuals are left vulnerable, facing unnecessary barriers and costs in moments when security and clarity are paramount.
Every year, millions of documents, from identity certifications to affidavits and statutory declarations, hang in the balance. Without a robust JP network, every Victorian is at risk. Legal costs are climbing, wait times are ballooning, and public confidence in our justice system is eroding.
We refuse to let this continue. We call for the urgent recruitment of 5,000 new JPs across Victoria. This is not simply a staffing issue; it is a matter of justice, equity, and the fundamental right to accessible and free Justice Services. The restoration of JP numbers to a sustainable level will increase availability and reliability, reduce financial barriers, and reaffirm the principle of free and fair justice for all.
This petition is a demand for systemic change. We urge our leaders to prioritise investment in the JP system, to rebuild, expand, and future-proof this essential service. Stand with us to ensure no Victorian is denied access to efficient, trustworthy, and free justice services.
Please add your voice. Sign this petition to protect Victoria’s legacy of fairness and to guarantee free justice services for every member of our community. VICTORIA NEEDS 5000 JPs NOW!
550
The issue
VICTORIA NEEDS 5000 JPs NOW!
Victoria’s Justice of the Peace (JP) system is facing an unprecedented crisis. For generations, JPs have been the backbone of our legal system, guaranteeing the integrity of documents that underpin our daily lives and protect our rights. Today, this vital institution is on the verge of collapse, and decisive action is needed to prevent irreparable harm.
Victoria currently has fewer than 2000 active JPs. By comparison, Queensland has 80,000 and New South Wales has 75,000 JPs. This is not fair to the citizens of Victoria, nor to the rapidly aging few JPs who remain.
Recent government policy has shifted responsibility away from JPs to so-called ‘Authorised Witnesses,’ destabilising a system that has served our communities for over a century. This move has led to widespread confusion, inadequate witnessing of critical documents, and forced Victorians to pay for services that should be freely available to all.
The result? Countless individuals are left vulnerable, facing unnecessary barriers and costs in moments when security and clarity are paramount.
Every year, millions of documents, from identity certifications to affidavits and statutory declarations, hang in the balance. Without a robust JP network, every Victorian is at risk. Legal costs are climbing, wait times are ballooning, and public confidence in our justice system is eroding.
We refuse to let this continue. We call for the urgent recruitment of 5,000 new JPs across Victoria. This is not simply a staffing issue; it is a matter of justice, equity, and the fundamental right to accessible and free Justice Services. The restoration of JP numbers to a sustainable level will increase availability and reliability, reduce financial barriers, and reaffirm the principle of free and fair justice for all.
This petition is a demand for systemic change. We urge our leaders to prioritise investment in the JP system, to rebuild, expand, and future-proof this essential service. Stand with us to ensure no Victorian is denied access to efficient, trustworthy, and free justice services.
Please add your voice. Sign this petition to protect Victoria’s legacy of fairness and to guarantee free justice services for every member of our community. VICTORIA NEEDS 5000 JPs NOW!
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Petition created on 11 August 2026