The new solicitor-general’s first mistake
Why did Ruth Higgins SC agree to appear at a press conference with Attorney-General Michelle Rowland to announce her appointment?
When Attorney-General Michelle Rowland announced the appointment of NSW silk Ruth Higgins SC as solicitor-general on Easter Monday, she made much of the fact that, for the first time, women would occupy the positions of first and second law officer of the Commonwealth.
It also created another moment in history: the first time a current or incoming solicitor-general had appeared alongside the attorney-general at a press conference.
Whoever thought that was a good idea needs their head read. That includes Higgins, who should have been awake to the optics.
When Capital Brief canvassed some senior legal figures on Tuesday, we received comments, not for attribution, such as “surprised”, “ill-advised” and “I wouldn’t have done it”.
