Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (14:33): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Treasurer, representing the Attorney-General in the other place, a question about the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner, Greg May.

Leave granted.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: I have asked the Attorney a number of specific questions in recent times regarding Mr May, who was found by a majority judgement of the Full Court guilty of several breaches of section 17 of the Public Sector (Honesty and Accountability) Act 1995. The Attorney-General herself, when in opposition, was aware of and seemed concerned about at least one breach when she posed questions about Mr May to the then Labor Attorney-General, Mr Rau. Now the tally is five. The Attorney has failed to adequately answer in detail the questions I put to her on notice about Mr May's conduct, including whether she intends to pursue the matter, especially considering that breaches of the act carry significant penalties, including imprisonment.

My question to the Attorney-General is: is Mr May and his office immune from prosecution for breaking the law, specifically the Public Sector (Honesty and Accountability) Act and, if not, why isn't the Attorney-General pursuing the matter or referring it to an integrity body as part of her responsibility and duty as the state's top legal officer?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:34): I am happy to refer the honourable member's question to the Attorney-General and bring back a reply.