South Australia Courts Shut Down Amid Escalating Prison & Public Sector Pay Dispute: Hearings Rescheduled as Strikes Widen

South Australia's Courts Shuttered Amid Escalating Public Sector Pay Strike

South Australia's judicial system faced significant disruption today as a widespread strike by prison officers and other public sector workers forced the closure of major courts across the state. This escalation, stemming from a protracted pay dispute, has led to the rescheduling of numerous case hearings and a lockdown of several correctional facilities.

Sheriff's Officers Join the Stoppage

The industrial action intensified dramatically after sheriff's officers voted to join a 24-hour work stoppage. Charlotte Watson, general secretary of the Public Service Association (PSA) SA, confirmed the immediate impact: "The courts will be closed today, is my understanding, because the sheriff officers have walked out and they are essential workers." Sheriff's officers are critical to court operations, responsible for security and the welfare of prisoners within the judicial complex.

This new wave of strikes sees them joining correctional officers across seven South Australian prisons and home detention officers in ongoing "rolling stop works." The union states these measures are a "last resort" following over 15 months of stalled enterprise bargaining negotiations with the state government.

The Courts Administration Authority (CAA) verified the closures, affecting all court buildings in Adelaide's CBD, along with magistrates courts in Christies Beach, Elizabeth, Port Adelaide, and Port Pirie. Cases scheduled for December 11, 2025, will be rescheduled, with parties to be informed of new dates.

Demands and Government Response

The PSA is demanding a 20 percent pay rise over 18 months, a claim the state government has firmly rejected. Union members from seven prisons had previously voted to continue their industrial action, with a significant addition of officers monitoring 1,500 offenders on home detention joining the fray.

Charlotte Watson highlighted the severe safety concerns that have driven members to strike, stating, "Our members have walked out because the safety concerns have become intolerable." She also indicated a scheduled meeting with Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis for 12:30 pm, emphasizing that "Government have pathways available to them if they have concerns about what's happening in the prisons."

Ministerial Concerns and Premier's Stance

Industrial Relations Minister Kyam Maher expressed apprehension regarding the impact on court cases, recalling previous disruptions. He cited a past instance where a rape trial was postponed, preventing a victim from giving evidence. "I think it's unfortunate when victims of sexual offences don't get their day in court," Maher commented, while also conceding that the resolution was "up to us" (the government) as well as the union.

Ms. Watson, however, vehemently refuted the suggestion that the union was solely responsible for closing services, calling it an "unfair statement." She stressed the inadequacy of previous pay increase offers, which have failed to elevate employee wages above the award for enterprise agreements, leading to "an escalation in anger."

Premier Peter Malinauskas affirmed the government's commitment to "real wage increases" – raises exceeding the inflation rate – but underscored the importance of fiscal discipline. He warned against allowing the budget to fall into a precarious position, referencing Victoria's financial challenges. "We're not throwing the toys out of the cot, we respect their rights to industrial action," Malinauskas stated, but emphasized the need for a sustainable budget.

Officers Feel Undervalued

Andrzej Oleszczuk, a sheriff's officer, articulated the long-standing frustration among staff, who feel "undervalued and neglected for so many years." He emphasized the inherent dangers of their profession: "We are facing hazardous dangerous situations, we are dealing with people who are in custody… situations are very unpredictable and anything can happen." Officers simply seek "fair pay and recognition" for their critical and risky work.