Andrew Wallace MP, who worked as a barrister in construction law prior to entering the House of Representatives, has taken over as shadow attorney-general in Sussan Ley’s reshuffled shadow ministry.
Last week, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley unveiled a new shadow ministry, following the resignation from the Coalition’s frontbench by shadow minister for defence industry Andrew Hastie. This resignation followed the recent departure from Ley’s frontline team by Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.
In the reshuffled shadow ministry, Ley has named Andrew Wallace MP, who was first elected to the Queensland electorate of Fisher in the Gold Coast in 2016, as the new shadow attorney-general, taking over from Julian Leeser MP.
Speaking about Wallace’s appointment, Ley said: “For several years now, Mr Wallace has fiercely advocated for Australia’s national security interests and advanced many initiatives to protect Australians.
“Widely regarded as one of Parliament’s most considered legal thinkers, he is well-credentialed to serve in this specialist shadow cabinet position.”
Wallace’s website said he is the son of a motor mechanic, and began his working life as an apprentice carpenter and joiner. After completing his apprenticeship, he became a builder and started his own business.
As a father of three, Wallace completed his LLB at Queensland University of Technology in his late 20s, becoming a construction lawyer. He has had his own practice as a barrister for 16 years, with his office based locally in Maroochydore.
He has held numerous parliamentary roles, including as the 31st speaker of the House of Representatives.
Leeser will assume the portfolio of shadow minister for education and early learning, adding to his existing portfolio of shadow minister for the arts.
Speaking about her new frontbench, Ley said that the changes “strengthen Coalition efforts to simultaneously hold the Albanese government to account and develop a clear, credible policy platform that contrasts with Labor”.
Jerome Doraisamy is the managing editor of Lawyers Weekly and HR Leader. He is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in New South Wales, and a board director of the Minds Count Foundation.
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