Legal update no. 189

28 May 2013

Launch of Opinions of the Attorneys-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Volume 3, 1923–45, and website of Legal Opinions 1901–45

On Tuesday 28 May 2013, the Attorney-General the Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP launched the third volume of Opinions of Attorneys-General of the Commonwealth of Australia with opinions of Solicitors-General and the Attorney-General's Department. It tells the national story in the period 1923–45 from a unique perspective. The legal advice published in this volume grapples with the significant challenges to the welfare of Australia's people during this time, including the Great Depression and the Second World War.

The publication of this volume is a joint project of the Attorney-General's Department and Australian Government Solicitor (AGS), which is now the principal body providing legal advice and services to the Commonwealth government.

The first and second volumes were published in 1981 and 1988 respectively and, until now, were only available in print. However, with the publication of this volume, the content of all 3 volumes – covering selected opinions from Federation and the creation of the Commonwealth in 1901 to shortly after the Second World War in 1945 – will be published online as a combined project of AGS, the Attorney-General's Department and the Australian Archives. Visit www.legalopinions.ags.gov.au.

Important: This material is not professional legal advice to any person on any matter. It should not be relied upon without checking. The material is provided to clients for information only. AGS is not responsible for the currency or accuracy of the content of external website links referred to within this material. Please contact AGS before any action or decision is taken on the basis of any of the material in this message.