Solicitor-General of Australia
| Solicitor-General of Australia | |
|---|---|
since 16 January 2017 | |
| Attorney-General's Department | |
| Appointer | Governor-General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister |
| Inaugural holder | Sir Robert Garran |
| Formation | 1916 |
The solicitor-general of Australia (officially the solicitor-general of the Commonwealth) is the country's second highest-ranking law officer, after the Attorney-General for Australia. The current officeholder is Stephen Donaghue, who took office on 16 January 2017 following the resignation of Justin Gleeson.
The Commonwealth Solicitor-General gives the Australian federal government legal advice and appears in court to represent the Commonwealth's interest in important legal proceedings, particularly in the High Court. The Solicitor-General notably offered advice to the government and defended members of parliament in court during the Australian Parliamentary eligibility crisis. Unlike the Australian attorney-general or the same position in England and Wales, the solicitor-general is not a member of parliament.