GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:06): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Attorney-General a question on the subject of government appointments.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: During the Atkinson/Ashbourne court cast in the last months of 2002, Attorney-General Atkinson received free legal advice and assistance from leading barrister Chris Kourakis and solicitor Tim Bourne. Subsequent to this court case, the Rann government appointed Mr Bourne to a position on the Parole Board, and he eventually became deputy chair of the Parole Board. The government also appointed Mr Kourakis, first, to the position of Solicitor-General and more recently to a position on the Supreme Court bench. My questions to the minister representing the Attorney-General are as follows:

1. To ensure that there could be no perception of conflict of interest, did Attorney-General Atkinson exclude himself from, first, any cabinet discussions or decisions on appointing Mr Kourakis to the position of Solicitor-General and then recently the cabinet decision to appoint Mr Kourakis as a Supreme Court judge and, if not, why not?

2. In relation to the most recent defamation case involving the Attorney-General and Mr Cannon, is the Attorney-General receiving free legal advice from any solicitor or barrister in relation to those proceedings?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:08): I will take those questions on notice and refer them to the Attorney-General.