SA: Review attorney-general's cabinet position: Liberals

AAP General News (Australia)
08-13-2009
SA: Review attorney-general's cabinet position: Liberals

The South Australian opposition says the cabinet position of the state's Attorney-General
MICHAEL ATKINSON should be reviewed following a defamation settlement.

Mr ATKINSON issued a statement yesterday saying cabinet had decided to settle legal
proceedings with Deputy Chief Magistrate ANDREW CANNON and would pay Dr CANNON about 175
thousand dollars for costs and interest and 30 thousand dollars for Mr ATKINSON's legal
fees.

Dr CANNON launched defamation action after the attorney-general used the words daft
and delusional in June last year when the magistrate suggested some people might get lighter
sentences because of overcrowded jails.

Liberal attorney-general spokeswoman VICKIE CHAPMAN says the ministerial code of conduct
states ministers shouldn't recklessly attack the reputation of another person .. and it's
time for Mr ATKINSON's position to be reviewed.

AAP RTV sl/crh

KEYWORD: ATKINSON (ADELAIDE)

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