Standing Committee of Attorneys-General
What is the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG)?
SCAG is a national ministerial council. Its members are the Australian Attorney-General and the Minister for Home Affairs, the State and Territory Attorneys-General and the New Zealand Minister of Justice. Norfolk Island has observer status at SCAG meetings.
SCAG provides a forum for Attorneys-General to discuss and progress matters of mutual interest. It seeks to achieve uniform or harmonised action within the portfolio responsibilities of its members.
The types of issues that SCAG considers can be quite varied. An item is likely to be appropriate for SCAG if:
- it requires joint action from the Australian, State and Territory governments
- involves the development of model or uniform model legislation, or
- is of relevance to Attorneys-General.
When and where does SCAG meet?
SCAG generally meets three times a year and its meetings are held in conjunction with the Ministerial Council for Corporations.
Meetings of SCAG are held in each jurisdiction on a rotating basis. The Minister hosting a particular meeting chairs that meeting.
Who is involved in SCAG?
The Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department is responsible for coordinating the Australian Government’s involvement in SCAG.
SCAG members are supported by departmental officers from their respective Departments. Officers generally meet six weeks before Ministers.
The Secretary to SCAG is the Director General of the NSW Attorney General’s Department. Secretariat functions are performed by New South Wales Attorney General’s departmental officers.
Contact:
Executive Officer
Standing Committee of Attorneys-General
NSW Attorney General’s Department
Level 14, 10 Spring St
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Telephone: (02) 8061 9325
Facsimile: (02) 9321 0351