Director of Public Prosecutions

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (15:04): My question is to the Attorney-General. Is the Attorney-General aware that Ms Caroline Mealor has stated that she specifically told the Attorney that she should be stood aside from the process to select the DPP? Could she inform the house why?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (15:04): Yes, and it may also not have come to the member for West Torrens' attention, but the chief executive, Ms Mealor, is a former long-term prosecutor, obviously in the DPP's office. In fact, she held a position there until she was appointed, under this government, to be chief executive. In a circumstance where there's every possibility, where there's an invitation to submit for the position that other members of the Director of Public Prosecution office may wish to apply for, it was entirely appropriate that she recuse herself from being on any panel, and she did so.