Michelle Rowland, whose mother is Fijian has been announced as the new Australian Attorney General.
She is a lawyer by profession and has served as Communications Minister.
Speaking in the Australian Parliament in 2016, Rowland outlined her Fijian heritage.
“My Fijian heritage is something I am very proud of. My mother was born in Fiji. One of my brothers and my sister was born there,” she had said.
“My father lived there for many years, and I still have many relatives there.”
I was there in 2014 as part of the international observer delegation where democracy was brought back to Fiji.”
Rowland, whose Sydney seat includes Seven Hills and parts of Blacktown and Rous Hill, replaces Victorian MP Mark Dreyfus, who lost his front bench position last week, when factional arrangements were settled following the election.
In a message posted on LinkedIn, Rowland said she was deeply honoured to be appointed to the position. “The foremost priority of any government is to keep Australians safe,” she said. “At a time when democracy is being challenged, trust in our legal institutions and justice system has never been more important.”
The 53-year-old was elected to the seat of Greenway in 2010 and became Minister for Communications after Labor’s victory in the 2022 election, having served in a range of shadow portfolios in opposition.
Rowland studied law at Sydney University, where she met her future husband, Michael. They now have two daughters. As a lawyer, she specialised in telecommunications and media law. Prior to entering parliament, she was Deputy Mayor of Blacktown City Council.
Rowland was a senior lawyer at Gilbert + Tobin for ten years and served as a Director of the Western Sydney Area Health Service. She’s also been the Chair of Screen NSW.
“I will build on the work of my esteemed colleague and friend, Mark Dreyfus , to uphold the rule of law, strengthen integrity, and maintain the public’s trust in Australia’s legal systems,” said Rowland.
“It says everything that is great about Australia that a girl from Western Sydney can study hard, work hard, and become the First Law Officer of the land.”
President of the Law Society of NSW Jennifer Ball said this in response to Rowland’s appointment. “On behalf of the solicitors of NSW, I offer my warm congratulations to the Commonwealth’s Attorney General designate, and former NSW solicitor, Michelle Rowland MP.”
Ball pointed out that Rowland was a member of the Law Society from her admission as a solicitor in 2000, until she entered parliament.
“In partnership with the Law Council of Australia, we look forward to working with Rowland to help advance the rule of law and reinforce public confidence in the justice system.
“I also express thanks and appreciation to Mark Dreyfus KC for his service as Attorney General and wish him well,” she said.
President of the Australian Law Reform Commission Justice Mordy Bromberg also congratulated Rowland on her appointment.
“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 Bromberg.
