Michael Atkinson

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Hon. Michael Atkinson

Michael Atkinson, Australian politician, is the current South Australian Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Minister for Multicultural Affairs in the Rann Government. He also represents the electoral district of Croydon in the South Australian House of Assembly and is a member of the Australian Labor Party.

Atkinson attended Glenelg Primary School and Unley High School. He then studied at the Australian National University and received a Bachelor of Arts (Hons), majoring in History and a Bachelor of Laws.

Michael worked as a sub-editor and journalist for the Adelaide Advertiser between 1982 and 1985, an advisor to federal Minister Chris Hurford, and an Advocate for the shopworkers' union. A founding member of the Labor Unity faction of the Australian Labor Party, Atkinson was first elected to Parliament in the 1989 state election and was a shadow minister before Labor won government in 2002 when he became Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Minister for Consumer Affairs. In a minor cabinet reshuffle in 2003, Atkinson lost his portfolio for consumer affairs and gained multicultural affairs.

His ministerial term has been marred by scandals including the 'stashed cash' affair and allegations concerning former Labor MP Ralph Clarke and government staffer Randall Ashbourne.

He was reelected in the 2006 election to the seat of Croydon with a two-party preferred vote of 75 percent.

Atkinson is famous for his "two up" legislation which allows playing this game on Anzac Day.^{[citation needed]} He is seen as a mentor to younger members of Parliament, particularly those within the right faction, and has a particular interest in world history and Christian values. He is married to Joan, with whom he has four children: Hugh, Bridget, John and Christopher.