The former communications minister replaces Mark Dreyfus in the role
Michelle Rowland MP has been announced as the new Commonwealth attorney-general in Anthony Albanese’s ministry.
Rowland replaces Mark Dreyfus, who according to ABC News was ousted from the role as a result of factional negotiations.
“The commission congratulates Ms Rowland on her appointment to the role of Commonwealth attorney-general, Australia’s first law officer. The ALRC offers valuable expertise and recommendations to government on reforming Australian law through its inquiries and reports, and I look forward to working with the attorney-general and her department to modernise and improve the law”, said Justice Mordy Bromberg, president of the Australian Law Reform Commission.
As a lawyer, Rowland worked with Gilbert + Tobin in Sydney, focusing on telecommunications. She first entered the political scene in 2010 when she won the Greenway seat in the House of Representatives. She went on to be appointed shadow assistant minister for communications, shadow minister for citizenship and multiculturalism, and shadow minister for small business in subsequent years.
She became communications minister in 2024 during Albanese’s first term; she would help introduce a law imposing a minimum-age requirement for access to social media and other digital platforms in September.
As Rowland steps into her new role, Bromberg gave outgoing attorney-general Dreyfus props for his contributions while in office.
“I want to thank former attorney-general the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP for his contribution to the law over decades. His substantial legacy as attorney-general should be recognised and celebrated, including his contribution to revitalising the ALRC”, Bromberg said.
The ALRC conducts law reform inquiries referred by the attorney-general. The organisation is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
