A Sunshine Coast MP has been appointed Shadow Attorney-General, bringing his years as a barrister and his experience on a national security committee to the role.
Fisher representative Andrew Wallace said he was “deeply honoured” to take the position, handed to him by Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.
“Before entering Parliament I spent 16 years practising as a barrister, so returning to the legal portfolio feels in many ways like coming home,” he said.
“Public life, law and justice have always been at the heart of my professional life, and I take this new responsibility with a profound sense of duty to the Australian people and to our democratic institutions.
“As Shadow Attorney-General, my focus will be on upholding the rule of law, protecting Australians’ freedoms and ensuring integrity, fairness and accountability remain at the core of our justice system.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues, legal professionals and the broader community as we continue to serve Australians with conviction and purpose, whilst holding this government to account.”
Mr Wallace said he was committed to the job.
“For the past several years, I have dedicated much of my work in Parliament to strengthening Australia’s national security and defending the rule of law through my role on the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS).
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“To allow me to fully focus on my new responsibilities, I will be stepping down as deputy chair of that committee.”
Mr Wallace thanked outgoing Shadow Attorney-General Julian Leeser for his “dedicated work”.
“Julian is a person of great intellect, integrity and conviction and I know he will remain a powerful advocate for the values we share,” he said.
“I also extend my congratulations to Phillip Thompson, who will be recommended to take up the role of deputy chair of the PJCIS.”
Mr Wallace was elected to Parliament in 2016 and has been re-elected three times. He was the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives in 2021–2022.
Ms Ley welcomed Mr Wallace to his new role.
“For several years now, Mr Wallace has fiercely advocated for Australia’s national security interests and advanced many initiatives to protect Australians,” she said.
“Widely regarded as one of Parliament’s most considered legal thinkers, he is well-credentialled to serve in this specialist shadow cabinet position.”
Mr Wallace was appointed shadow cabinet secretary in May, when the Sunshine Coast’s other federal MP, Ted O’Brien, was appointed Deputy Opposition Leader.
