Attorney-General

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:55): My question is to the Premier. As the Chief Justice believes that it is 'difficult to reject an application by a serving Attorney-General to be appointed Senior Counsel', does the Premier agree that the appointment process should be changed to prevent any future serving Attorney-General from applying?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:55): This is not a matter for executive government. We gave away that onerous task of considering who should be Her Majesty's counsel, I think as it was then, and now it is Senior Counsel, some time ago. Sadly, it is not within the gift of government to bless eminent jurists to be SC, KC—QC even. That was a particular onerous duty which was sacrificed some time ago, so it is not a matter for executive government and I don't think there will be any plans to change that any time soon.

Mr Tarzia interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hartley asks: who appointed the judges? I think the only remaining judge appointed by a Liberal government was His Honour Paul Rice.