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Law Council congratulates new Attorney-General, Christian Porter

19 December 2017
 

The Law Council of Australia today welcomed the appointment of the Hon. Christian Porter MP as the next Attorney-General of Australia and thanked outgoing Senator the Hon. George Brandis QC for his contribution.

“On behalf of the legal profession, I congratulate Mr Porter on his appointment,” said Law Council President, Fiona McLeod SC.

“The Attorney-General, as chief law officer of the Commonwealth, is charged with defending and promoting the system of law and justice,” Ms McLeod said.

“As the guardian of the public interest, the Attorney fulfills a critical role in upholding the rule of law – seeking to ensure equality before the law, access to justice, the right to a fair trial and the right to review executive decision making by a strong independent judiciary.

“As a former senior prosecutor for the Western Australian DPP, and later state Attorney-General, Mr Porter well understands the importance of the rule of law and the steps, which are not always popular, that need to be taken in its defence.

"We look forward to engaging constructively with Mr Porter on a myriad of issues in 2018, from legal aid and court resourcing to the careful balancing of important human rights and freedoms,” Ms McLeod said.

Ms McLeod also thanked the outgoing Attorney-General, Senator Brandis, for his commitment to the rule of law, and efforts in the role, dating back to his time as Shadow Attorney-General from 2007.

"We are grateful for the constructive and productive relationship we have enjoyed with Senator Brandis and his staff," Ms McLeod said.

"He has been an advocate for a strong rule of law in his term and supported the calls of the Law Council for the reversal of funding cuts this year to the legal assistance sector. He has commissioned a number of important reviews including referrals to the Australian law Reform Commission on Indigenous Incarceration and Family Law.

“I was particularly moved by the eloquence and the authenticity of Senator Brandis's advocacy around marriage equality. "On behalf of the Australian legal profession I wish Senator Brandis all the very best,” Ms McLeod said.
 

Media contacts:
 

Patrick Pantano: Public Affairs

P. 02 6246 3715     E. Patrick.Pantano@lawcouncil.au

Last Updated on 18/01/2018

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