Former solicitors-general have weighed into the dispute between the Attorney-General and the outgoing Solicitor-General, reinforcing their view the office needs to remain staunchly independent, but questioning aspects of Justin Gleeson’s argument his position was untenable.
Mr Gleeson resigned as Solicitor-General yesterday, after a bitter public spat with Attorney-General George Brandis about his decision to restrict access to his office’s expert legal advice.
He had also complained about being left out of deliberation on key matters of public importance, such as anti-terror legislation and the debate on same-sex marriage, and that Senator Brandis had sought other legal advice.
Mr Gleeson’s resignation came on the same day the former office holders had gathered to debate the importance of the role.
Sir Anthony Mason QC was solicitor-general in the 1960s, before being appointed to the High Court in 1972 and serving as its chief justice for more than eight years …
