House of Assembly - 17 February 2003

[This version of the document has been edited by Dr Robert N Moles
Underlining where it occurs is for editorial emphasis]

The appointment of the solicitor-General

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg)

My question is directed to the Attorney-General. What was the value of the legal work performed for the Attorney-General by Chris Kourakis QC before his appointment as Solicitor General? As is known, Mr Kourakis QC was appointed Solicitor-General on 23 January this year. In the latest Register of Members' Interests, under the heading `Gifts', the Attorney-General has included `gratis and contingent work from Mr Kourakis'. In the previous register of interests, the Attorney-General estimated the value of legal advice and representation from Mr Kourakis at $9000.

The SPEAKER

The Premier

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Premier)

No; things are quite different these days. Go back and ask some questions, because the Attorney-General absented himself from cabinet during the discussion and the decision and declared his interests, which is quite different from what we have learnt about occasions in the past.

Ms CHAPMAN

I ask a supplementary question: what was the value, Mr Premier?

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON (Attorney-General)

I cannot say what the value is because I simply do not know; I did not get a bill. It was for the defence of a defamation action and the preparation of a counterclaim for the solicitor.

Mr SNELLING (Playford)

Whom did the Attorney-General consult before making the appointment of Solicitor-General?

TheHon. M.J. ATKINSON (Attorney-General)

Part of my job as Attorney-General when appointing judges of the Supreme Court, the District Court or magistrates, or in looking at who should be the Solicitor-General, I did some preparatory consultation before going on vacation, when cabinet made the decision to appoint Mr Kourakis: I upheld the tradition adopted by the Hon. Trevor Griffin of consulting the opposition about the appointment, and I consulted the Hon. Robert Lawson. It is fair to say that there were really only two or three candidates for the appointment of Solicitor-General. I consulted the Hon. Robert Lawson and he provided me with only one recommendation. The recommendation that he gave was that of Christopher Kourakis. When I pointed out to him — and others were present — that MrKourakis had done some pro bono legal work for me, which as members would know was disclosed on the Parliamentary Pecuniary Interests Register, Mr Lawson's response was: `You shouldn't hold that against him.'

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