Michael Atkinson
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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.
He 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, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister for Multicultural Affairs. In a minor cabinet reshuffle in 2004, Atkinson lost his portfolio for consumer affairs. Following the death of a ministerial colleague he became Minister for Correctional Services in 2006.
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 76 percent.
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.
He is a strong supporter of internet-censorship[1], and is solely responsible for maintaining Australia's status as the only developed democracy without an "Adults Only" rating for video games[2][3], despite overwhelming demand for such a rating[4].
On 25 April 2008 (ANZAC Day), the Premier of South Australia announced he would appoint Atkinson to the newly created portfolio of Minister for Veterans' Affairs. He was sworn in to the position by the Governor of South Australia on 1 May 2008.
[edit] References
- ^ [http://www.efa.org.au/Campaigns/sabill.html South Australian Internet Censorship Bill 2002]. Electronic Frontiers Australia. Retrieved on 2008-02-27.
- ^ Chloe Lake. "Attorney-general opposes R rating for games", News.com.au, News Limited, 2008-02-27. Retrieved on 2008-02-27.
- ^ Asher Moses. "R-rated games may be on shelves soon", Sydney Morning Herald, Fairfax Digital, 2008-02-25. Retrieved on 2008-02-27.
- ^ Jason Hill. "R rating back in the game plan", The Age, The Age Company Ltd, 2005-11-17. Retrieved on 2008-02-27.
[edit] External links
- ALP biography
- Parliamentary biography
- Ministerial biography
- Poll Bludger electorate profile - Ashbourne Affair
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