Former human services secretary says Coalition minister told her ‘legal advice is just advice’ when briefed on solicitor general’s opinion on scheme’s legality
Last modified on Tue 28 Feb 2023 06.15 GMT
Leon also pointed to deep cultural problems across the public service and government, claiming top some officials were punished for providing negative advice while others who backed its agenda were “rewarded”.Leon faced questioning from senior counsel assisting the commission, Justin Greggery KC, about her role running the department as it faced an ultimately successful landmark court challenge from Victoria Legal Aid.
Leon said Robert had treated the conversation “appropriately seriously” but added the minister had responded to her briefing by saying: “Legal advice is just advice.” Leon’s evidence detailed the chaotic period when the Coalition considered what to do about the program, crucial to billions in budget savings, describing how this conversation prompted the creation of a brief for Robert to explain that “one couldn’t just dismiss” the solicitor general’s advice.
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