The Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) tables an annual report each year in the Parliament of South Australia. Each annual report outlines financial performance, key initiatives for the department and support of whole-of-government initiatives.

Annual Report 2021-22  (PDF, 5.3 MB)


To:

The Honourable Kyam Maher MLC

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Attorney-General
Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector

The Honourable Andrea Michaels MP

Minister for Small and Family Business
Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs

This annual report will be presented to Parliament to meet the statutory reporting requirements of Public Sector Act 2009, Architectural Practice Act 2009, Associations Incorporation Act 1985, Authorised Betting Operations Act 2000, Building Work Contractors Act 1995, Casino Act 1997, Commissioner for Kangaroo Island Act 2014, Companies (Administration) Act 1982, Conveyancers Act 1994, Co-operatives National Law (South Australia) Act 2013, Fair Trading Act 1987, Gaming Machines Act 1992, Land Agents Act 1994, Land Valuers Act 1994, Liquor Licensing Act 1997, Outback Communities (Administration and Management) Act 2009, Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, Plumbers, Gas fitters and Electricians Act 1995, Residential Parks Act 2007, Residential Tenancies Act 1995, Second-hand Vehicle Dealers Act 1995, Security and Investigation Industry Act 1995, South Australian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1992, West Beach Recreation Reserve Act 1987 and the requirements of Premier and Cabinet Circular PC013 Annual Reporting.

This report is verified to be accurate for the purposes of annual reporting to the Parliament of South Australia.

Submitted on behalf of the Attorney-General's Department by:

Caroline Mealor
Chief Executive

29 September 2022

While the 2021-22 financial year has not been without its challenges, it has been pleasing to see the easing of restrictions that have been in place since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

South Australia’s liquor and gambling regulator, Consumer and Business Services, has taken a key role in this area, working with the hospitality sector to support businesses during what has clearly been a difficult time, informing them of changes as they occur and supporting them through the transition back to normal operations.

The dedicated lawyers of the Crown Solicitor’s Office (CSO) have also been front and centre during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing advice to Government on restrictions, legislation and other matters related to the day-to-day operations of Government during this challenging time.

The Department also took a leading role in implementing State Parliament’s reforms to South Australia’s anti-corruption laws separating the Office for Public Integrity (OPI) from the Independent Commission Against Corruption, as well as providing advice on the impact of the new laws on reporting obligations.

I would like to thank Fraser Stroud and his team for stepping into the breach at a moment’s notice to oversee the transition while the search was underway for a permanent head of the now standalone OPI. I would also like to welcome and congratulate incoming OPI Director, Emma Townsend and incoming Judicial Conduct Commissioner Michael Boylan KC on their appointments.

Forensic Science SA and SA Police continue to collaborate and produce significant results. As part of Operation Persevere five sets of previously unknown human remains dating back to the 1980’s were identified whilst DNA analysis helped lead to a conviction in the 1993 murder of Suzanne Poll.
In the Planning area, a considerable amount of work was completed to deliver the State’s new Planning and Design Code, which came into effect in 2021. 2021-22 also saw the appointment of Craig Holden to lead the State Planning Commission.

In the Local Government portfolio, the implementation of sweeping reforms to local government – including new behavioural standards for councillors, the establishment of a new complaints body and new transparency measures designed to increase accountability were all progressed.
Liquor and Gambling Commissioner Dini Soulio has also been taking on work aimed at addressing alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour in the Upper Spencer Gulf, introducing restrictions on the sale of takeaway liquor in Port Augusta.

Consumer and Business Services has also continued to monitor compliance with the real time petrol price monitoring scheme – ensuring that information provided to motorists through numerous apps and websites is accurate and up to date.

In June this year, the government released a Legal Assistance Strategy. The strategy outlines the government's commitment to help vulnerable people who are unable to afford private legal services, and access and engage effectively with the justice system to address their legal problems.

The Office for the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity launched a new tool to help people living with disability report difficulties accessing public venues and businesses. The Disability Access Reporting Tool is an online form that triggers an email directly to owners/operators, informing them about access issues and reminding them of their obligations under law.

The Office of the Public Advocate established a Restrictive Practices Guardianship Project to streamline the authorisation and documentation of the use of restrictive practices for its clients. This project also involved working with aged care providers by providing information and education about restrictive practices in aged care.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) continue to face the significant task of prosecuting those charged as a result of Operation Ironside as well as a seemingly ever-growing number of large and highly complex matters.

Staff and visitors to the AGD offices at 10 Franklin Street had come to see Zero the black Labrador (the canine employee of the ODPP) as our building’s mascot. It was with a heavy heart earlier this year when we had to bid Zero farewell after a battle with cancer. Zero’s work has lived on though, with the appointment of his successor Zeb, a two-year old Labrador appointed to carry on Zero’s work as the next canine court companion.

We also saw the appointment of one of our most respected senior lawyers, Ingrid Norman, to the position of Crown Solicitor. Ingrid has been acting in the role since the appointment of her predecessor, Laura Stein, to the Supreme Court.

The Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Sandi McDonald was also appointed to the Supreme Court.

We were also pleased to welcome Nerissa Kilvert as the Small Business Commissioner - taking over from John Chapman, whose term concluded in September last year.

Of course, the change of Government in March 2022 has seen a change in portfolio responsibilities and ministerial reporting. The Honourable Kyam Maher became the first Aboriginal Attorney-General in South Australia as well as the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation and the Minister for Industrial Relations and the Public Sector.  We have also welcomed the Honourable Andrea Michaels as the Minister for Small and Family Business and Consumer and Business Affairs.

As a result, machinery of government changes saw Planning and Land Use Services and the Office for Local Government transferred out of AGD, while Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment, Industrial Relations and Policy and SafeWork SA now all sit within our agency’s purview.

I have no doubt we are more than ready for the year that lies ahead, thanks to the exceptional staff that work throughout the Attorney-General’s Department under the leadership of the Executive Management Group.

Their work and dedication throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to be nothing short of inspiring. I look forward to working with them across our many and varied portfolio areas over the year to come.

It continues to be an extraordinary privilege to be the Chief Executive of AGD, and I’m honoured to work with Minister Maher, Minister Michaels and their staff.

Our strategic focus

2018-21 Strategic Plan (PDF, 32.5 KB)

The Attorney-General's Department Strategic Plan 2022-24 has been developed and will be included in the 2022-23 Annual Report.

Our organisational structure as at 30 June 2022 (PDF, 86.5 KB)

Changes to the agency

During 2021-22 there were no Machinery of Government changes, however the following changes impacting the agency’s structure and objectives were announced following the State Election. These came into effect on 1 July 2022:

  • Industrial Relations and Policy, SafeWork SA, South Australian Employment Tribunal and the Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment transferred into the Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) from the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF)
  • Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation transferred into AGD from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC)
  • Planning and Land Use Services, Office of the Registrar-General and Office of the Valuer-General transferred from AGD to the Department for Trade and Investment (DTI)
  • Office of Local Government transferred from AGD to the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT).

In addition, changes to the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 2012, which came into effect on 7 October 2021, included the separation of the Office for Public Integrity (OPI) from the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Annual Reporting

The following areas of AGD submit their own annual reports:

  • Commissioner for Victims’ Rights
  • Commissioner for Equal Opportunity
  • Director of Public Prosecutions
  • Ombudsman
  • Public Advocate
  • Public Trustee
  • Small Business Commissioner
  • South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
  • State Planning Commission
  • State Records SA

Other agencies that submit their own annual report, are:

  • Courts Administration Authority
  • Director of the Office for Public Integrity
  • Electoral Commissioner
  • Independent Commissioner Against Corruption
  • Judicial Conduct Commissioner
  • Legal Services Commission
  • Local Government Grants Commission
  • Outback Communities Authority

The Hon Kyam Maher MLC

The Hon Kyam Maher MLC, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, is the state’s principal legal advisor to the government and is responsible for exercising certain powers and regulating and administering a range of legislation.

The Attorney-General is a member of Cabinet and is responsible for:

  • specific legislation and the state's legal system
  • developing and implementing policy
  • legal action relevant to the state government.

On 24 March 2022, the Attorney-General also became responsible for the Aboriginal Affairs and the Industrial Relations and Public Sector Ministerial Portfolios.

The Hon Andrea Michaels MP

The Hon Andrea Michaels MP is the Minister for Small and Family Business and Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs.

The Minister supports sustainable economic growth by assisting South Australian industries and businesses to succeed in a local and global environment as well as protecting consumers and supporting and regulating business.

Mike Wait SC

Mike is the Solicitor-General which is a statutory officer appointed by the Governor under the Solicitor-General Act 1972. The Solicitor-General is the second law officer of the state. Acting on the instructions of the Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General advises the state and appears as counsel on behalf of the state, including on behalf of the Crown Solicitor and the Director of Public Prosecutions, as required.

Ingrid Norman

Ingrid is the Crown Solicitor of South Australia and is responsible for leading the Crown Solicitor’s Office (CSO), which comprises the Public Law, Civil Litigation, Crown Counsel, Commercial, Environment & Native Title and Business Services sections. The CSO provides advice to, and represents, the South Australian Government on behalf of the Attorney-General. This includes providing legal services to Cabinet, Ministers and South Australian Government agencies on a wide variety of legal issues.

Adam Kilvert

Adam is the Executive Director for the Policy and Community division, including Justice Policy and Analytics and Strategic Communications, which provide advice and support to the Attorney-General and the broader department. The division also consists of the offices of the Ombudsman, Public Advocate, Public Trustee, the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity, the Director of the Office of Public Integrity, and the Commissioner for Victims' Rights, which aim to protect the rights of the public.

Andrew Swanson

Andrew is the Executive Director of the Finance, People and Performance division. He is the Chief Financial Officer and responsible for leading a range of functions including Financial Services, Human Resources, Facilities, Performance and Business Services and State Records SA. The division also includes the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT).

Dini Soulio

Dini is the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs and Liquor and Gambling within Consumer and Business Services (CBS). CBS has a broad portfolio including consumer protection, product safety, occupational licensing, liquor licensing, gambling regulation, charities regulation, residential tenancies, births, deaths and marriages and Justice of the Peace services.

Joanna Martin

Joanna is the Executive Director of the Legal and Legislative Services division. The division includes Legislative Services, who provide legal and policy advice on legislative reform and Parliamentary Counsel, who provide legislative drafting services to members of South Australia's Parliament. The division also consists of the CSO, Forensic Science SA (FSSA), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

Dr Linzi Wilson-Wilde OAM

Linzi is a forensic scientist who is the Director, Forensic Science SA (FSSA). FSSA provides independent scientific and pathology services to the justice system of South Australia in the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Pathology and Toxicology. FSSA collaborates closely with the tertiary sector, in particular the three local universities, to ensure it maintains a high quality and contemporary scientific service through research, training and teaching.

Matt Smith

Matt Smith is the Executive Director of the Projects and Technology division. He is responsible for leading Technology, Project Delivery, Public Safety and Information Management services. In addition to supporting the operations of AGD, the division provides Public Safety and Justice Information services to more than twenty other Government agencies. Matt started the role in November 2021 when Mark Hanson retired after over 21 years with the department.

Martin Hinton QC

Martin is the Director of Public Prosecutions (the DPP). He is a statutory officer, independent of AGD, who initiates and conducts criminal prosecutions in the Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts of South Australia. The DPP also initiates, and conducts appeals in the Full Court of South Australia and the High Court of South Australia. The DPP oversees the operations of the Office of the Director for Public Prosecutions (ODPP) comprising Trial Counsel, Solicitors (including Confiscations), and Business Services (including the Witness Assistance Service) to ensure the ODPP provides the people of South Australia with an independent and effective criminal prosecution service that is timely, efficient and just.

Nicolle Rantanen

Nicolle is the Public Trustee and is responsible for the efficient management of the Public Trustee Office and the effective implementation of the Public Trustee Act 1995. The role encompasses acting as Administrator, Executor or Trustee of deceased estates, as Administrator of estates of protected persons under the Guardianship and Administration Act 1993, as Manager of estates of protected persons under the Aged and Infirm Persons’ Property Act 1940 and as Attorney or Agent. The Public Trustee is also the Trustee for minors as a result of distributions in intestate estates administered by private administrators and by appointment as trustees for other trusts and Wills.

Sally Smith

Sally is the Executive Director of Planning and Land Use Services (PLUS) and the Office of Local Government. The role is responsible for managing the planning and land use system for South Australia. This includes planning and development, architecture, design and land use to grow our economy and create more vibrant places for our communities. On 1 July 2022, PLUS moved from AGD to DTI and the Office of Local Government transitioned to DIT.

Action for Breach of Promise of Marriage (Abolition) Act 1971
Acts Interpretation Act 1915
Adelaide Cemeteries Authority Act 2001
Adelaide Children's Hospital and Queen Victoria Hospital (Testamentary Dispositions) Act 1990
Adelaide Park Lands Act 2005
Adelaide Show Grounds (Regulations and By-Laws) Act 1929
Administration and Probate Act 1919
Administrative Arrangements Act 1994
Administrative Decisions (Effect of International Instruments) Act 1995
Age of Majority (Reduction) Act 1971
Aged and Infirm Persons' Property Act 1940
Aircraft Offences Act 1971
ANZ Executors and Trustee Company (South Australia) Limited (Transfer of Business) Act 1996
Architectural Practice Act 2009
Associations Incorporation Act 1985
Australia Acts (Request) Act 1985
Australian Crime Commission (South Australia) Act 2004
Authorised Betting Operations Act 2000
Bail Act 1985
Ballot Act 1862
Bills of Sale Act 1886
Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996
Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009
Building Work Contractors Act 1995
Burial and Cremation Act 2013
Business Names (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2012
Casino Act 1997
Character Preservation (Barossa Valley) Act 2012
Character Preservation (McLaren Vale) Act 2012
Child Sex Offenders Registration Act 2006
City of Adelaide Act 1998
Civil Liability Act 1936
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995
Collections for Charitable Purposes Act 1939
Commercial Arbitration Act 2011
Commissioner for Kangaroo Island Act 2014
Commonwealth Legislative Power Act 1931*
Commonwealth Places (Administration of Laws) Act 1970
Commonwealth Powers (De Facto Relationships) Act 2009
Commonwealth Powers (Family Law) Act 1986
Community Titles Act 1996
Companies (Administration) Act 1982
Constitutional Powers (Coastal Waters) Act 1979
Conveyancers Act 1994
Co-operatives National Law (South Australia) Act 2013
Coroners Act 2003
Corporations (Administrative Actions) Act 2001
Corporations (Ancillary Provisions) Act 2001
Corporations (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2001
Corporations (South Australia) Act 1990
Courts Administration Act 1993
COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020
Credit (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2010
Credit (Transitional Arrangements) Act 2010
Criminal Assets Confiscation Act 2005
Criminal Investigation (Covert Operations) Act 2009
Criminal Investigation (Extraterritorial Offences) Act 1984
Criminal Law (Clamping, Impounding and Forfeiture of Vehicles) Act 2007
Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Act 2007
Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) Act 2015
Criminal Law (Legal Representation) Act 2001
Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935
Criminal Procedure Act 1921
Cross-border Justice Act 2009
Crown Proceedings Act 1992
Da Costa Samaritan Fund (Incorporation of Trustees) Act 1953
Death (Definition) Act 1983
Debtors Act 1936
Defamation Act 2005
Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1991
District Court Act 1991
Domestic Partners Property Act 1996
Domicile Act 1980
Dust Diseases Act 2005
Election of Senators Act 1903
Electoral Act 1985
Electronic Conveyancing National Law (South Australia) Act 2013
Electronic Communications Act 2000
Encroachments Act 1944
Enforcement of Judgments Act 1991
Environment, Resources and Development Court Act 1993
Equal Opportunity Act 1984
Essential Services Act 1981
Estates Tail Act 1881 (The)
Evidence (Affidavits) Act 1928
Evidence Act 1929
Expiation of Offences Act 1996
Fair Trading Act 1987
Family Relationships Act 1975
Farm Debt Mediation Act 2018
Federal Courts (State Jurisdiction) Act 1999
Fences Act 1975
Financial Sector Reform (South Australia) Act 1999
Foreign Judgments Act 1971
Free Presbyterian Church (Vesting of Property) Act 2001
Freedom of Information Act 1991
Frustrated Contracts Act 1988
Gambling Administration Act 2019
Gaming Machines Act 1992
Gaming Offences Act 1936
Geographical Names Act 1991
Graffiti Control Act 2001
Guardianship and Administration Act 1993
Guardianship of Infants Act 1940
Hairdressers Act 1988
Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Act 2012
Industrial Referral Agreements Act 1986
Inheritance (Family Provision) Act 1972
Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) Act 2009
James Brown Memorial Trust Incorporation Act 1990
Judicial Administration (Auxiliary Appointments and Powers) Act 1988
Judicial Conduct Commissioner Act 2015
Juries Act 1927
Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1987
Justices of the Peace Act 2005
Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017
Land Acquisition Act 1969
Land Agents Act 1994
Land and Business (Sale and Conveyancing) Act 1994
Land Valuers Act 1994
Landlord and Tenant Act 1936
Law of Property Act 1936
Law Reform (Contributory Negligence and Apportionment of Liability) Act 2001
Legal Practitioners Act 1981
Legal Services Commission Act 1977
Legislation Interpretation Act 2021
Legislative Instruments Act 1978
Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002
Limitation of Actions Act 1936
Linear Parks Act 2006
Liquor Licensing Act 1997
Little Sisters of the Poor (Testamentary Dispositions) Act 1986
Lobbyists Act 2015
Local Government Act 1999
Local Government (Elections) Act 1999
Local Government (Implementation) Act 1999
Magistrates Act 1983
Magistrates Court Act 1991
Marketable Securities Act 1971
Married Persons (Separate Legal Status) Act 2019
Members of Parliament (Register of Interests) Act 1983
Mercantile Law Act 1936
Minors Contracts (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1979
Misrepresentation Act 1972
National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2018
Native Title (South Australia) Act 1994
Notaries Public Act 2016
Oaths Act 1936
Off-shore Waters (Application of Laws) Act 1976
Ombudsman Act 1972
Outback Communities (Administration and Management) Act 2009
Parliamentary Committees Act 1991
Partnership Act 1891
Personal Property Securities (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2009
Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016
Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Electricians Act 1995
Police Complaints and Discipline Act 2016
Powers of Attorney and Agency Act 1984
Prices Act 1948
Private Parking Areas Act 1986
Problem Gambling Family Protection Orders Act 2004
Professional Standards Act 2004
Prohibited Areas (Application of State Laws) Act 1952
Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018
Public Trustee Act 1995
Racial Vilification Act 1996
Real Property Act 1886
Real Property (Commonwealth Titles) Act 1924
Real Property (Foreign Governments) Act 1950
Real Property (Registration of Titles) Act 1945
Recreation Grounds (Regulations) Act 1931
Registration of Deeds Act 1935
Relationships Register Act 2016
Residential Parks Act 2007
Residential Tenancies Act 1995
Retail and Commercial Leases Act 1995
Roads (Opening and Closing) Act 1991
Royal Commissions Act 1917
Royal Style and Titles Act 1973
RSL Memorial Hall Trust Act 1997*
Sale of Goods (Vienna Convention) Act 1986
Sale of Goods Act 1895
Sea-Carriage Documents Act 1998
Second-hand Vehicle Dealers Act 1995
Security and Investigation Industry Act 1995
Sentencing Act 2017
Serious and Organised Crime (Control) Act 2008
Serious and Organised Crime (Unexplained Wealth) Act 2009
Settled Estates Act 1880
Settled Estates Act Amendment Act 1889 (The)
Sheriff's Act 1978
Shop Theft (Alternative Enforcement) Act 2000
Small Business Commissioner Act 2011
Solicitor-General Act 1972
South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013
South Australian Local Government Grants Commission Act 1992
Spent Convictions Act 2009
St. John (Discharge of Trusts) Act 1997
State Records Act 1997
Stock Mortgages and Wool Liens Act 1924
Strata Titles Act 1988
Summary Offences Act 1953
Supreme Court Act 1935
Surrogacy Act 2019
Surveillance Devices Act 2016
Survey Act 1992
Survival of Causes of Action Act 1940
Telecommunications (Interception) Act 2012  
Tattooing Industry Control Act 2015
Terrorism (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2002
Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2005
Terrorism (Preventative Detention) Act 2005
Thomas Hutchinson Trust and related Trusts (Winding Up) Act 1995
Trustee Act 1936
Trustee Companies Act 1988
Unclaimed Goods Act 1987
Unexplained Wealth) Commonwealth Powers) Act 2021
Valuation of Land Act 1971
Victims of Crime Act 2001
Waite Trust (Miscellaneous Variations) Act 1996*
Warehouse Liens and Storage Act 1990
West Beach Recreation Reserve Act 1987
Wills Act 1936
Worker's Liens Act 1893
Young Offenders Act 1993
Youth Court Act 1993

* Denotes Act of limited application