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{{Use Australian English|date=October 2013}}{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2013}}{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox government agency
{{Infobox government agency
|agency_name=Attorney-General's Department
| agency_name = Attorney-General's Department
|logo = [[File:Coat of Arms of Australia.svg|150px]]
| logo = [[File:AGD Logo (Australia).png|200px]]
|logo_width =
| logo_width =
|logo_caption =
| logo_caption =
|picture = File:Attorney-General's Department.jpg
| picture = File:Attorney-General's Department.jpg
|picture_width =270px
| picture_width = 270px
|picture_caption = Robert Garran Offices, head office of the Attorney-General's Department, [[Barton, Australian Capital Territory|Barton]], [[Australian Capital Territory]].
| picture_caption = Robert Garran Offices, head office of the Attorney-General's Department, [[Barton, Australian Capital Territory|Barton]], [[Australian Capital Territory]].
|formed = 1 January 1901<ref name="NAA CA 5">{{citation|title=CA 5: Attorney-General's Department, Central Office|url=https://RecordSearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?Number=CA+5|publisher=National Archives of Australia|access-date=9 Feb 2021}}</ref>
| formed = 1 January 1901<ref name="NAA CA 5">{{citation|title=CA 5: Attorney-General's Department, Central Office|url=https://RecordSearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?Number=CA+5|publisher=National Archives of Australia|access-date=9 Feb 2021}}</ref>
|dissolved =
| dissolved =
|superseding =
| superseding =
|jurisdiction = [[Commonwealth of Australia]]
| jurisdiction = [[Commonwealth of Australia]]
|type = [[Government department|Department]]
| type = [[Government department|Department]]
|employees = {{formatnum:1461}} (estimate for 2013–14)<ref name="StaffNos2013-14">{{cite web|title=Budget Paper No. 1|url=http://www.budget.gov.au/2013-14/content/bp1/html/bp1_bst6-04.htm|work=2013-14 Commonwealth Budget|publisher=Australian Government|author=Australian Government|location=Statement 6: Expenses and Net Capital Investment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130924130405/http://www.budget.gov.au/2013-14/content/bp1/html/bp1_bst6-04.htm|archive-date=24 September 2013}}</ref>
| employees = {{formatnum:1461}} (estimate for 2013–14)<ref name="StaffNos2013-14">{{cite web|title=Budget Paper No. 1: Statement 6: Expenses and Net Capital Investment|url=http://www.budget.gov.au/2013-14/content/bp1/html/bp1_bst6-04.htm|work=2013-14 Commonwealth Budget|publisher=Australian Government|author=Australian Government|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130924130405/http://www.budget.gov.au/2013-14/content/bp1/html/bp1_bst6-04.htm|archive-date=24 September 2013}}</ref>
|budget = {{AUD}}800&nbsp;million (2011–12)
| budget = {{AUD}}800&nbsp;million (2011–12)
|minister1_name = [[Christian Porter|The Hon. Christian Porter MP]]
| minister1_name = [[Mark Dreyfus]]
|minister1_pfo = <br />[[Attorney-General of Australia]]
| minister1_pfo = <br />[[Attorney-General of Australia]]
|minister2_name =
| minister2_name = [[Matt Thistlethwaite]]
|minister2_pfo =
| minister2_pfo = Assistant Minister for the Republic
|minister3_name =
| minister3_name =
|minister3_pfo =
| minister3_pfo =
|minister4_name =
| minister4_name =
|minister4_pfo =
| minister4_pfo =
|chief1_name = [[Chris Moraitis]] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|PSM}}
| chief1_name = Katherine Jones {{post-nominals|country=AUS|PSM}}
|chief1_position = [[Departmental secretary|Secretary]]&nbsp;(2014–)
| chief1_position = [[Departmental secretary|Secretary]]&nbsp;(2021–present)
|child1_agency = [[Australian Government Solicitor]]
| child1_agency = [[Australian Government Solicitor]]
⚫
| child4_agency = [[Administrative Appeals Tribunal]]
|child3_agency = [[Australian Security Intelligence Organisation]]
| child5_agency = [[Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity]]
⚫
|child4_agency = [[Administrative Appeals Tribunal]]
|child5_agency = [[Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity]]
| child7_agency = [[Australian Human Rights Commission]]
|child6_agency = [[Australian Crime Commission|Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission]]
| child8_agency = [[Australian Federal Police]]
|child7_agency = [[Australian Human Rights Commission]]
| child9_agency = [[Australian Law Reform Commission]]
⚫
| child12_agency = [[Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia]]
|child8_agency = [[Australian Institute of Criminology]]
⚫
| child14_agency = [[National Library of Australia]]
|child9_agency = [[Australian Law Reform Commission]]
⚫
| child15_agency = [[National Native Title Tribunal]]
|child10_agency = [[Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre]]
⚫
| child16_agency = [[Office of the Australian Information Commissioner]]
⚫
|child11_agency = [[Family Court of Australia]]
⚫
| child17_agency = [[Office of Parliamentary Counsel (Australia)|Office of Parliamentary Counsel]]
⚫
|child12_agency = [[Federal Court of Australia]]
⚫
| child18_agency = [[Director of Public Prosecutions (Australia)|Office of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions]]
|child13_agency = [[Federal Circuit Court of Australia]]
|child14_agency = [[National Library of Australia]]
| child19_agency = Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia
⚫
| website = {{URL|www.ag.gov.au}}
⚫
|child15_agency = [[National Native Title Tribunal]]
⚫
| footnotes =
⚫
|child16_agency = [[Office of the Australian Information Commissioner]]
| seal =
⚫
|child17_agency = [[Office of Parliamentary Counsel (Australia)|Office of Parliamentary Counsel]]
| chief2_name =
⚫
|child18_agency = [[Director of Public Prosecutions (Australia)|Office of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions]]
| chief2_position =
|child19_agency = [[Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia]]
| chief3_name =
⚫
|website = {{URL|www.ag.gov.au}}
| chief3_position =
⚫
|footnotes =
| chief4_name =
|seal=|chief2_name=|chief2_position=|chief3_name=|chief3_position=|chief4_name=|chief4_position=|chief5_name=|chief5_position=|chief6_name=|chief6_position=|chief7_name=|chief7_position=|chief8_name=|chief8_position=|chief9_name=|chief9_position=|parent_department=
| chief4_position =
⚫
|agency_id = {{NAA agency|5}}
| chief5_name =
| chief5_position =
| chief6_name =
| chief6_position =
| chief7_name =
| chief7_position =
| chief8_name =
| chief8_position =
| chief9_name =
| chief9_position =
| parent_department =
⚫
| agency_id = {{NAA agency|5}}
}}
}}
The '''Attorney-General's Department''' is a [[Government department|department]] of the [[Government of Australia|federal government of Australia]] responsible for [[Law of Australia|law and justice]], and since 29 May 2019, industrial relations.<ref name="AAO">{{cite web |title=Administrative Order Arrangements |url=https://www.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/aao-20190529.pdf |website=Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |date=29 May 2019 |access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref>
The '''Attorney-General's Department''', also known as the '''Department of the Attorney-General''' or '''AG’s Department''', is the national law enforcement and justice department of the [[Government of Australia|federal government of the Commonwealth of Australia]]. The attorney-general’s department is responsible for the enforcement and compliance of [[Law of Australia|federal law]], the [[administration of justice]] and the oversight of [[Australian labour law|industrial relations affairs]].<ref name="AAO">{{cite web |title=Administrative Order Arrangements |url=https://www.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/aao-20190529.pdf |website=Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |date=29 May 2019 |access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref> The department oversees various agencies including the [[Australian Federal Police]] (AFP), the national [[Australian Human Rights Commission|Human Rights Commission]] (AHRC) and the [[Director of Public Prosecutions (Australia)|Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions]].


The head of the department is the [[Departmental secretary|Secretary]] of the Attorney-General's Department, currently [[Chris Moraitis]] {{post-nominals|country=AUS|PSM}}, who reports to the [[Attorney-General for Australia]], currently [[The Honourable|The Hon.]] [[Christian Porter]] [[Australian House of Representatives|MP]].
The head of the department is [[Attorney-General for Australia]], currently [[Mark Dreyfus]], who is assisted by the [[Departmental secretary|Secretary]] of the Attorney-General's Department, currently Katherine Jones {{post-nominals|country=AUS|PSM}}.


==History==
==History==
Line 85: Line 97:
! Ref(s)
! Ref(s)
|-
|-
|align=center|1 || Sir [[Robert Garran]] ||rowspan=13 | Secretary of the<br />Attorney‑General's Department ||align=center|{{start date|1901|01|01|df=y}} ||align=center|{{end date|1932|02|09|df=y}}||align=right|{{ayd|1901|01|01|1932|02|09}}|| <ref>{{citation|url=http://primeministers.naa.gov.au/primeministers/fraser/key-people.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140211201621/http://primeministers.naa.gov.au/primeministers/fraser/key-people.aspx|archive-date=11 February 2014|title=Key People|publisher=National Archives of Australia}}</ref>
|align=center|1 || Sir [[Robert Garran]] || rowspan="14" | Secretary of the<br />Attorney‑General's Department ||align=center|{{start date|1901|01|01|df=y}} ||align=center|{{end date|1932|02|09|df=y}}||align=right|{{ayd|1901|01|01|1932|02|09}}|| <ref>{{citation|url=http://primeministers.naa.gov.au/primeministers/fraser/key-people.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140211201621/http://primeministers.naa.gov.au/primeministers/fraser/key-people.aspx|archive-date=11 February 2014|title=Key People|publisher=National Archives of Australia}}</ref>
|-
|-
|align=center|2 || Sir [[George Knowles]] ||align=center|{{start date|1932|02|10|df=y}} ||align=center|{{end date|1946|05|08|df=y}} ||align=right|{{ayd|1932|02|10|1946|05|08}}||<ref>{{citation|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/knowles-sir-george-shaw-6987|archive-date=28 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228101918/http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/knowles-sir-george-shaw-6987|url-status=live|title=Knowles, Sir George Shaw (1882–1947)|first=E.G.|last=Whitlam|author-link=Gough Whitlam|date=1983}}</ref>
|align=center|2 || Sir [[George Knowles]] ||align=center|{{start date|1932|02|10|df=y}} ||align=center|{{end date|1946|05|08|df=y}} ||align=right|{{ayd|1932|02|10|1946|05|08}}||<ref>{{citation|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/knowles-sir-george-shaw-6987|archive-date=28 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228101918/http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/knowles-sir-george-shaw-6987|url-status=live|title=Knowles, Sir George Shaw (1882–1947)|first=E.G.|last=Whitlam|author-link=Gough Whitlam|date=1983}}</ref>
Line 103: Line 115:
|align=center|9 || [[Stephen Skehill]] ||align=center|{{start date|1994|05|23|df=y}} ||align=center|1998||align=right|4 years ||<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au/browse.php?did=9225|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228093616/http://pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au/browse.php?did=9225|archive-date=28 February 2014|title=Statement by the Prime Minister|first=Paul|last=Keating|author-link=Paul Keating|date=11 May 1994}}</ref>
|align=center|9 || [[Stephen Skehill]] ||align=center|{{start date|1994|05|23|df=y}} ||align=center|1998||align=right|4 years ||<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au/browse.php?did=9225|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228093616/http://pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au/browse.php?did=9225|archive-date=28 February 2014|title=Statement by the Prime Minister|first=Paul|last=Keating|author-link=Paul Keating|date=11 May 1994}}</ref>
|-
|-
|align=center|10 || [[Tony Blunn]] {{post-nominals |country=AUS|AO}} ||align=center|1998 ||align=center| {{end date|1999|12|17|df=y}} ||align=right|2 years ||<ref name=Blunnretire>{{citation|url=http://australianpolitics.com/1999/12/08/new-secretary-for-ag-dept.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430122714/http://australianpolitics.com/1999/12/08/new-secretary-for-ag-dept.html|archive-date=30 April 2013|title=New Secretary Appointed To Attorney-General’s Department|date=8 December 1999|publisher=Australian Politics|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center|10 || [[Tony Blunn]] {{post-nominals |country=AUS|AO}} ||align=center|1998 ||align=center| {{end date|1999|12|17|df=y}} ||align=right|2 years ||<ref name=Blunnretire>{{citation|url=http://australianpolitics.com/1999/12/08/new-secretary-for-ag-dept.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430122714/http://australianpolitics.com/1999/12/08/new-secretary-for-ag-dept.html|archive-date=30 April 2013|title=New Secretary Appointed To Attorney-General's Department|date=8 December 1999|publisher=Australian Politics|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
|align=center|11 || [[Robert Cornall]] {{post-nominals |country=AUS|AO}} ||align=center| {{start date|2000|01|24|df=y}} ||align=center|{{end date|2008|08|31|df=y}}||align=right| {{ayd|2000|01|24|2008|08|31}} ||<ref name=Blunnretire/><ref name=Cornallretire>{{citation|url=http://www.ag.gov.au/Publications/Annualreports/Annualreport200809/Pages/AnnualReport200809ManagementandAccountability.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212194103/https://www.ag.gov.au/Publications/AnnualReports/Annualreport200809/Pages/AnnualReport200809ManagementandAccountability.aspx|archive-date=12 February 2014|url-status=live|title=Management and Accountability|work=Annual Report 2008–09|publisher=Attorney-General's Department}}</ref>
|align=center|11 || [[Robert Cornall]] {{post-nominals |country=AUS|AO}} ||align=center| {{start date|2000|01|24|df=y}} ||align=center|{{end date|2008|08|31|df=y}}||align=right| {{ayd|2000|01|24|2008|08|31}} ||<ref name=Blunnretire/><ref name=Cornallretire>{{citation|url=http://www.ag.gov.au/Publications/Annualreports/Annualreport200809/Pages/AnnualReport200809ManagementandAccountability.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212194103/https://www.ag.gov.au/Publications/AnnualReports/Annualreport200809/Pages/AnnualReport200809ManagementandAccountability.aspx|archive-date=12 February 2014|url-status=live|title=Management and Accountability|work=Annual Report 2008–09|publisher=Attorney-General's Department}}</ref>
|-
|-
|align=center|12 || [[Roger Wilkins (public servant)|Roger Wilkins]] {{post-nominals |country=AUS|AO}} ||align=center|{{start date|2008|09|01|df=y}} || align=center|{{end date|2014|08|31|df=y}}||align=right|{{ayd|2008|09|01|2014|08|31}} ||<ref name=Cornallretire/><ref>{{citation|url=http://www.em.gov.au/Documents/New%20%20Secretary%20for%20Attorney-General%20s%20Department_VOL24ISSUE1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212021431/http://www.em.gov.au/Documents/New%20%20Secretary%20for%20Attorney-General%20s%20Department_VOL24ISSUE1.pdf|archive-date=12 February 2014|title=New Secretary for Attorney-General’s Department|date=February 2009|journal=The Australian Journal of Emergency Management|volume=24|issue=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/retired-public-servant-roger-wilkins-urges-colleagues-to-loosen-up-20140901-10ax49.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903105256/http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/retired-public-servant-roger-wilkins-urges-colleagues-to-loosen-up-20140901-10ax49.html|archive-date=3 September 2014|first=Phillip|last=Thomson|date=1 September 2014|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|title=Retired public servant Roger Wilkins urges colleagues to loosen up|publisher=Fairfax Media}}</ref>
|align=center|12 || [[Roger Wilkins (public servant)|Roger Wilkins]] {{post-nominals |country=AUS|AO}} ||align=center|{{start date|2008|09|01|df=y}} || align=center|{{end date|2014|08|31|df=y}}||align=right|{{ayd|2008|09|01|2014|08|31}} ||<ref name=Cornallretire/><ref>{{citation|url=http://www.em.gov.au/Documents/New%20%20Secretary%20for%20Attorney-General%20s%20Department_VOL24ISSUE1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212021431/http://www.em.gov.au/Documents/New%20%20Secretary%20for%20Attorney-General%20s%20Department_VOL24ISSUE1.pdf|archive-date=12 February 2014|title=New Secretary for Attorney-General's Department|date=February 2009|journal=The Australian Journal of Emergency Management|volume=24|issue=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/retired-public-servant-roger-wilkins-urges-colleagues-to-loosen-up-20140901-10ax49.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903105256/http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/retired-public-servant-roger-wilkins-urges-colleagues-to-loosen-up-20140901-10ax49.html|archive-date=3 September 2014|first=Phillip|last=Thomson|date=1 September 2014|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|title=Retired public servant Roger Wilkins urges colleagues to loosen up|publisher=Fairfax Media}}</ref>
|-
|-
|align=center|13 || [[Chris Moraitis]] {{post-nominals |country=AUS|PSM}} ||align=center|{{start date|2014|09|15|df=y}} || align=center|''incumbent'' ||align=right| {{ayd|2014|09|15}} ||<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.pm.gov.au/media/2014-09-03/appointment-departmental-secretaries|first=Tony|last=Abbott|date=3 September 2014|author-link=Tony Abbott|title=Appointment of Departmental Secretaries|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903105432/http://www.pm.gov.au/media/2014-09-03/appointment-departmental-secretaries|archive-date=3 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/chris-moraitis-joins-the-top-table-in-abbotts-latest-reshuffle-of-department-heads-20140903-10btor.html#ixzz3CE9uOBGr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903105539/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/chris-moraitis-joins-the-top-table-in-abbotts-latest-reshuffle-of-department-heads-20140903-10btor.html|archive-date=3 September 2014|date=3 September 2014|first=Markus|last=Mannheim|newspaper=The Canberra Times|publisher=Fairfax Media|title=Chris Moraitis joins the top table in Abbott's latest reshuffle of department heads}}</ref>
|align=center|13 || [[Chris Moraitis]] {{post-nominals |country=AUS|PSM}} ||align=center|{{start date|2014|09|15|df=y}} || align=center|{{end date|2021|09|15|df=y}}|| align="right" | {{ayd|2014|09|15|2021|01|3}}||<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.pm.gov.au/media/2014-09-03/appointment-departmental-secretaries|first=Tony|last=Abbott|date=3 September 2014|author-link=Tony Abbott|title=Appointment of Departmental Secretaries|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903105432/http://www.pm.gov.au/media/2014-09-03/appointment-departmental-secretaries|archive-date=3 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/chris-moraitis-joins-the-top-table-in-abbotts-latest-reshuffle-of-department-heads-20140903-10btor.html#ixzz3CE9uOBGr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903105539/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/chris-moraitis-joins-the-top-table-in-abbotts-latest-reshuffle-of-department-heads-20140903-10btor.html|archive-date=3 September 2014|date=3 September 2014|first=Markus|last=Mannheim|newspaper=The Canberra Times|publisher=Fairfax Media|title=Chris Moraitis joins the top table in Abbott's latest reshuffle of department heads}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Attorney General's Department Annual Report 2020-21 |url=https://www.transparency.gov.au/annual-reports/attorney-generals-department/reporting-year/2020-21-61 |website=Transparency portal}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|14
|Katherine Jones {{post-nominals |country=AUS|PSM}}
|align=center|{{start date|2021|08|16|df=y}}
|align=center|''incumbent''
|align=right|{{ayd|2021|08|16}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department |url=https://ministers.ag.gov.au/media-centre/secretary-attorney-generals-department-09-07-2021 |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=Our ministers – Attorney-General’s portfolio |language=en}}</ref>
|}
|}


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==Operational functions==
==Operational functions==
The Administrative Arrangements Order made on 19 April 2018 details the following responsibilities to the Department:<ref name="AAO Apr 2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2018Q00017|title=Administrative Arrangements Order |date=19 April 2018 |publisher=[[Commonwealth of Australia]] |access-date=20 August 2018 |work= Federal Register of Registration }}</ref>
The Administrative Arrangements Order made on 01 June 2022 details the following responsibilities to the Department:<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 June 2022 |title=Administrative Arrangements Order |url=https://www.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/administrative-arrangements-order-2022-06-01.pdf |access-date=11 June 2022 |website=Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet |publisher=[[Commonwealth of Australia]]}}</ref>
* Law and justice, including -
* Law and justice, including -
** [[Australian administrative law|Administrative law]]
** [[Australian administrative law|Administrative law]]
** Alternative dispute resolution
** Alternative dispute resolution
** Bankruptcy
** Bankruptcy
** Censorship
** Constitutional law
** Constitutional law
** [[Judiciary of Australia|Courts and tribunals]]
** [[Judiciary of Australia|Courts and tribunals]]
Line 133: Line 151:
** Personal property securities
** Personal property securities
* Legal services to the Commonwealth
* Legal services to the Commonwealth
* Law enforcement policy and operations
* Administration of criminal justice, including -
* Administration of criminal justice, including -
** Criminal law policy and principles of criminal responsibility
** Criminal law policy and principles of criminal responsibility
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** Internal crime cooperation, including extradition and mutual assistance in criminal matters
** Internal crime cooperation, including extradition and mutual assistance in criminal matters
* Protective security policy
* Protective security policy
* Protective services at Commonwealth establishments and diplomatic and consular premises in Australia
* Administrative support for Royal Commissions and certain other inquiries
* Administrative support for Royal Commissions and certain other inquiries
* Privacy
* Privacy
* Freedom of Information
* Freedom of Information
* Management of government records
* Native title
* Native title
* Fraud and anti-corruption policy
* Fraud and anti-corruption policy
* Whole of government integrity policy and activities
* Whole of government integrity policy and activities
* Copyright
* Work health and safety, rehabilitation and compensation
* National child protection policy and strategy
* Workplace relations policy development, advocacy and implementation
* Promotion of flexible workplace relations policies and practices, including workplace productivity


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Australia|Politics}}
{{Portal|Australia|Politics}}
* [[Attorney-General's Department (South Australia)]]
⚫
* [[List of Australian Commonwealth Government entities]]
* [[Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council]]
* [[Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council]]
⚫
* [[List of Australian Commonwealth Government entities]]


==References==
==References==
Line 167: Line 186:
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1901]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1901]]
[[Category:Legal organisations based in Australia]]
[[Category:Legal organisations based in Australia]]
[[Category:Attorneys-General for Australia]]
[[Category:Attorneys-General of Australia]]

Latest revision as of 19:22, 12 October 2023

Attorney-General's Department

Robert Garran Offices, head office of the Attorney-General's Department, Barton, Australian Capital Territory.
Department overview
Formed1 January 1901[1]
JurisdictionCommonwealth of Australia
Employees1,461 (estimate for 2013–14)[2]
Annual budgetA$800 million (2011–12)
Ministers responsible
Department executive
Child Department
Websitewww.ag.gov.au
Agency IDNAA CA 5

The Attorney-General's Department, also known as the Department of the Attorney-General or AG’s Department, is the national law enforcement and justice department of the federal government of the Commonwealth of Australia. The attorney-general’s department is responsible for the enforcement and compliance of federal law, the administration of justice and the oversight of industrial relations affairs.[3] The department oversees various agencies including the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the national Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

The head of the department is Attorney-General for Australia, currently Mark Dreyfus, who is assisted by the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department, currently Katherine Jones PSM.

History[edit]

The Attorney-General's Department is one of seven original Commonwealth Departments of state, commencing with the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901. It is one of only three departments, along with Defence and Treasury, to have operated continuously under their original name and charter since Federation.[4]

Organisation[edit]

The department is organised into five groups, each headed by a Deputy Secretary. These Deputy Secretaries report to the Secretary who co-ordinates and devises departmental structure and policy.

These five groups are:

The Attorney-General's Department is located at the Robert Garran Offices, 3-5 National Circuit, Barton in the Australian Capital Territory.[5]

Departmental Secretary[edit]

The permanent secretary of the Attorney-General's Department is the non-political public service head of the department. This role dates from federation, and the first incumbent, Sir Robert Garran, was the first (and for a time the only) public servant employed by the federal government. In that role, he was responsible for overseeing the first federal election and setting up the rest of the federal bureaucracy by transferring state government functions to the federal government.

From 1916, when the position of Solicitor-General of Australia was created as the second law officer and deputy of the Attorney-General, the permanent secretary served concurrently as Solicitor-General, until the two roles were separated in 1964. Under the Law Officers Act passed that year, the Solicitor-General's role was clarified as statutory counsel deputising for the Attorney-General, separate from the role of the permanent secretary.

On the recommendation of the Prime Minister, the Governor-General has appointed the following individuals as Secretary of the department:

Order Official Official title Date appointment
commenced 		Date appointment
ceased 		Term in office Ref(s)
1 Sir Robert Garran Secretary of the
Attorney‑General's Department		 1 January 1901 (1901-01-01) 9 February 1932 (1932-02-09) 31 years, 39 days [6]
2 Sir George Knowles 10 February 1932 (1932-02-10) 8 May 1946 (1946-05-08) 14 years, 87 days [7]
3 Sir Kenneth Bailey 9 May 1946 (1946-05-09) 2 February 1964 (1964-02-02) 17 years, 269 days [8]
4 Ted Hook 3 February 1964 (1964-02-03) 2 February 1970 (1970-02-02) 5 years, 364 days [8][9]
5 Sir Clarrie Harders OBE 1970 July 1979 9 years [10][11]
6 Alan Neaves July 1979 March 1983 4 years [12]
7 Pat Brazil AO 16 March 1983 (1983-03-16) 1989 6 years [13]
8 Alan Rose AO 1989 23 May 1994 (1994-05-23) 5 years [14]
9 Stephen Skehill 23 May 1994 (1994-05-23) 1998 4 years [15]
10 Tony Blunn AO 1998 17 December 1999 (1999-12-17) 2 years [16]
11 Robert Cornall AO 24 January 2000 (2000-01-24) 31 August 2008 (2008-08-31) 8 years, 220 days [16][17]
12 Roger Wilkins AO 1 September 2008 (2008-09-01) 31 August 2014 (2014-08-31) 5 years, 364 days [17][18][19]
13 Chris Moraitis PSM 15 September 2014 (2014-09-15) 15 September 2021 (2021-09-15) 6 years, 110 days [20][21][22]
14 Katherine Jones PSM 16 August 2021 (2021-08-16) incumbent 2 years, 304 days [23]

Mission and outcomes[edit]

The Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing in Deakin, ACT. The Office is a division of the Attorney-General's Department.

The mission of the department is "achieving a just and secure society". In pursuing this mission, the department works towards achieving *A just and secure society through the maintenance and improvement of Australia's law and justice framework and its national security and emergency management system".[citation needed]

Operational functions[edit]

The Administrative Arrangements Order made on 01 June 2022 details the following responsibilities to the Department:[24]

  • Law and justice, including -
  • Legal services to the Commonwealth
  • Law enforcement policy and operations
  • Administration of criminal justice, including -
    • Criminal law policy and principles of criminal responsibility
    • Matters relating to prosecution
    • Sentencing and management of federal offenders
    • Internal crime cooperation, including extradition and mutual assistance in criminal matters
  • Protective security policy
  • Protective services at Commonwealth establishments and diplomatic and consular premises in Australia
  • Administrative support for Royal Commissions and certain other inquiries
  • Privacy
  • Freedom of Information
  • Native title
  • Fraud and anti-corruption policy
  • Whole of government integrity policy and activities
  • Copyright
  • National child protection policy and strategy

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ CA 5: Attorney-General's Department, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 9 February 2021
  2. ^ Australian Government. "Budget Paper No. 1: Statement 6: Expenses and Net Capital Investment". 2013-14 Commonwealth Budget. Australian Government. Archived from the original on 24 September 2013.
  3. ^ "Administrative Order Arrangements" (PDF). Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Commonwealth of Australia. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  4. ^ Cornall, Robert (2 November 2007). "Redefining the role of Government lawyers in today's Public Service – ACLA National Conference 2007". Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. The Attorney-General's Department was one of the seven original Commonwealth departments of State. It is one of only three departments, along with Defence and The Treasury, which have operated for over one hundred years under their original name and broad charter.
  5. ^ "Contact us". Attorney-General's Department. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  6. ^ Key People, National Archives of Australia, archived from the original on 11 February 2014
  7. ^ Whitlam, E.G. (1983), Knowles, Sir George Shaw (1882–1947), archived from the original on 28 February 2014
  8. ^ a b Jennings, Rosemary (2007), Hook, Edwin John (Ted) (1910–1990), archived from the original on 28 February 2014
  9. ^ "Obituary: Edwin Hook: Sound lawyer, good officer, reliable friend". The Canberra Times. 5 April 1990. p. 7. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014.
  10. ^ Whitlam, Edward Gough; Hughes, Tom (10 March 1997). "An Adviser Who Gave His All". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 18 April 2013.
  11. ^ Fraser, Malcolm (3 July 1979). "Retirement of Sir Clarrie Harders" (Press release). Archived from the original on 28 February 2014.
  12. ^ Title: Senator the Honourable Gareth Evans, Attorney General with Alan Neaves, Secretary of the Attorney General's Department and another, National Archives of Australia
  13. ^ Hawke, Robert (16 March 1983). "Appointment of permanent heads" (Press release). Archived from the original on 28 February 2014.
  14. ^ Mr Alan Rose AO, Australian Government Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal, archived from the original on 4 February 2014
  15. ^ Keating, Paul (11 May 1994). "Statement by the Prime Minister" (Press release). Archived from the original on 28 February 2014.
  16. ^ a b New Secretary Appointed To Attorney-General's Department, Australian Politics, 8 December 1999, archived from the original on 30 April 2013
  17. ^ a b "Management and Accountability", Annual Report 2008–09, Attorney-General's Department, archived from the original on 12 February 2014
  18. ^ "New Secretary for Attorney-General's Department" (PDF), The Australian Journal of Emergency Management, 24 (1), February 2009, archived from the original (PDF) on 12 February 2014
  19. ^ Thomson, Phillip (1 September 2014). "Retired public servant Roger Wilkins urges colleagues to loosen up". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014.
  20. ^ Abbott, Tony (3 September 2014). "Appointment of Departmental Secretaries" (Press release). Archived from the original on 3 September 2014.
  21. ^ Mannheim, Markus (3 September 2014). "Chris Moraitis joins the top table in Abbott's latest reshuffle of department heads". The Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014.
  22. ^ "Attorney General's Department Annual Report 2020-21". Transparency portal.
  23. ^ "Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department". Our ministers – Attorney-General’s portfolio. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  24. ^ "Administrative Arrangements Order" (PDF). Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Commonwealth of Australia. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
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