Victoria has passed laws allowing judge-only trials to be reintroduced for one year to help the state cope with a crippling backlog of court cases.
The Justice Legislation Amendment (Trial by Judge Alone and Other Matters) Bill 2022 passed through parliament's upper house on Thursday afternoon.
The laws allow for the option of judge-only trials in criminal matters and special hearings for 12 months, including video link hearings, with jury trials to also continue over this time.
Judge-only trials were previously introduced in July 2020 due to the pandemic but there was little uptake for the option and it was repealed in April 2021.
Derryn Hinch Justice Party MP Stuart Grimley had brought amendments to the bill to protect sexual assault victims from having to airing confidential communications in court.
However, these were withdrawn after the state government agreed to include them in other amendments later this year.
"I'm pleased the government has committed to implement changes to confidential communications that will benefit sexual assault victim-survivors," Mr Grimley said.
The legislation will now go to the governor for royal assent.
When announcing the bill, Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said the measures would drive down court backlogs, reduce wait times and help keep courtrooms COVID-19 safe.
