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As reported in Victoria's Herald Sun newspaper, the state's current premier, John Brumby, wants to bring 'WebCourt' to life.
Set to cost AUD $6.3m, although no one truly knows with government projects what the real final cost will be, Premier Brumby was quoted on Fairfax's local 3AW radio station explaining the system, and talking up its public education value.
The Premier is quoted saying: 'You'll be able to tune in, you'll be able to see the court proceedings, you'll be able to see the defence ... and you'll be able to see the judge. I think it's a good thing because it will get the public a better understanding of the complexities of what happens in a court case.'
Premier Brumby added: "But in turn also, I think it will get the judges more in tune with community attitudes because I think this will generate debate about what happened, what was said, what sentence was given', and made clear there would be no similarity to popular US cable TV show 'Judge Judy'.
That's probably a shame, given Judge Judy's quick and justice-delivering applications of the law, at least as it stands in the US, perhaps Premier Brumby needs to rethink this aspect. If the judicious Judge Judy ever hears about it she might send the Premier a sampling of her wrath!
The scheme won't equip every courtroom with a camera either - predictably, that will cost more money if the decision is made to do that. Individual judges will also decide whether their courtroom proceedings will be streamed live, or not.
Still, it is an interesting development, especially given the very Underbellyish nature of some of Victoria's colourful criminals, and could, for some, become Australia's newest hit reality show.
So, a new online real-life streaming crime and justice channel is on the way, courtesy of the Victorian Government, should it be re-elected.
Unless you're criminally inclined, it'll be the show and channel you'll never want to star on!
