Director of Public Prosecutions

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:58): My question is to the Attorney-General. Is chief executive, Caroline Mealor, involved in any way in the process for the selection of a new Director of Public Prosecutions?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (14:59): I think this has been made very clear. Although the chief executive is of course responsible for the administration of the department, a panel has been appointed—an independent panel of four, two of whom I think were there as part of the panel under the previous government for the last appointment, which was constituted for that purpose.

As I understand it, the practice from here is that whatever applications have been received are presented to the panel and that they in due course will give a recommendation to me, as Attorney-General, for presentation to cabinet. That's as I understand it. Certainly, the chief executive is not a member of the panel.