The Law Council of Australia has warmly congratulated Senator the Hon George Brandis QC and the Hon Michael Keenan MP on their reappointments as Australia’s Attorney-General and Justice Minister respectively.
Senator Brandis and Mr Keenan were today named by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull into the key Government portfolios.
Law Council of Australia President, Stuart Clark AM, said he was looking forward to growing the Law Council’s positive working relationships with both Ministers.
“The Law Council is grateful for the close and cooperative relationship we have enjoyed with Senator Brandis over the course of the last Parliament,” Mr Clark said.
“It is a relationship that has been characterised by openness and constructiveness and we look forward to it continuing to strengthen.
“Similarly, the Law Council warmly congratulates Mr Keenan on his re-appointment as the Justice Minister and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Counter-Terrorism. We welcome the opportunity to build on our already productive relationship.”
Mr Clark noted there was a tremendous amount of work to do in the legal sphere in the next Parliament.
“The Law Council has identified a number of policies that should be made key priorities of as part of its 2016 Election Policy Platform,” Mr Clark said.
These priority areas include:
- ending Australia’s legal aid funding crisis;
- convening a national summit to address the chronic shortage of legal professionals working in rural, regional, and remote communities;
- ensuring counter-terrorism laws are consistent with rule of law principles;
- providing adequate funding for federal courts and tribunals;
- identifying and implement measures designed to reduce domestic and family violence;
- working towards abolishing mandatory sentencing laws across the board; and
- implementing strategies to address alarming rates of Indigenous imprisonment and victimisation.
“We look forward to discussing these and other priorities in detail in the coming months.”
Mr Clark also took the opportunity to congratulate the Turnbull Government on its re-election and all MPs and Senators successfully elected to Parliament.
“In addition to Government, the Law Council looks forward to working productively and constructively with the Opposition, minor parties and independents as we begin the 45th Parliament of Australia,” Mr Clark said.
Patrick Pantano: Public Affairs Anil Lambert: Media
02 6246 3715 0416 426 722
Patrick.Pantano@lawcouncil.asn.au anil@hortonadvisory.com.au
