Seller Genend of the Corenemresh of Areni Senator the Hon George Brandis QC ‘Attorney-General of the Commonwealth Pavtament Howse CANBERRA ACT 2600 Dear Attorney 1am writing to "give 1 you snd the Government notice of my intention to resign as the Solicitor-Genceal of the Commonwealth. signed notice of resignation will given to the Governor-General under s8 ofthe Law Officers et 1964 (CA) (Law Offices Aet) 14 days fiom nov, on 7 Novernber 2016, "have come to this eonelusion with regret, bu the best interests of the Commenwealt ean be sereed only when is first and second Law Officers enjoy each other's complete rust and confidence within a mutually respectful relationship. When such relationships eretievably Droken, a i the case here, and each Law Oificer holds a term of office established by the Constitution or statute which will not expire in the near future, there must be sme resolution to the impasse Noting that you hold office through te will of the people and are responsible to Parliament, ‘whereas my commission rests on a decision of the Govemor-General on edvice under @ sate, I have determined that! wil take the necessary steps to resolve the impasse, My resignation will enable the Prime Minisir the opportunity, though the Federal Executive ‘Council, to recommend to the Governor-General the appoininent of the 11" Solicitor. ‘General of the Commonwealth In taking tis ep, I make i perfectly plain that my motivation is solely to further the best interests of the Commonwealth by enabling the restomtion of a functional working relationship between the frst and second Law Offers. My decision des not amount to a ‘withdrawal of any postion I have taken in relation to matters of controversy between us, Including before the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affkes References Committe. I trust that it wil in fact better enable the Parliament to make an objective consideration of the issues T have raised undistracted by personalities. For the avoidance of any doubt, 1 also ‘make perfectly plain that I eect absolutely each and every attack and insinuatio tat has 11, Law Cour Bag ‘Atay Games Deptment Cnsipee 35 Nevo Cae SYDNEY NSW 200 BARTON ACT 2am ‘Teen vam 0 614 419, 2) 92508920 (614 099‘been made in recent times upon me personally or pon my office, by Government members of Parliament, including you, in Senate Committee processes. Equally, ny decision is lunrelated t0 any finding the Senate Committoe may make in favour of or adverse to any person [Neither the Law Officers Act nor convention prescribe the period of notice tht the Solicitor General should give of his or her intention to resign. I consider that the period of notice should be the minimum necessary in the circumstances, Fourteen days will enable the Federal Executive Council sufiient time to recommend to the Governor-General the appointment of ether an acting SolicitorGeneral during @ vacaney in the office under SIICX@) of the Law Officers Act or @ successor Soliitor-General under +6 of the Law Officers Act, ‘Such a period will also enable the orderly conclusion of, or transfer of resonsbity for, existing work in my office. In this period, I intend to call upon Mr Thomas Howe QC, the ‘most senior avilable person whom the Governor-General has commissioned under s 11(1)(6) ‘of the Law Officers Act, o assist me in coneluding opinions and High Court submissions. 1 do not think the effective date of resignation should be delayed beyond 14 cays. Whatever be the outcome of the Senate committee process and subsequent Parliamentary deliberation in the sitting week commencing 7 November 2016, there is an urgent need t» negotiate an effete way forward between the Law Officers and your private office and yaur department. My sueeessor shouldbe in place as soon as possible, io take an active part in tht negotiation, 1 will provide « copy of this leter to the Oficial Seeetary of the Govemar-Genetal, the Prime Minister and the Secretary ofthe Senate Commitee, It has been a privilege to serve for the last four years as the 10" Solicitor-General of the Commonwealth ye fu Juin Gleeson SC Salcombe Comment Aaa Yours fithily 24 October 2016