The
Attorney-General for Australia is the first law officer of
the Crown in right of the
Commonwealth of Australia, chief law officer of the Commonwealth of Australia and a
minister of the Crown. The Attorney-General is usually a member of the
Federal Cabinet, but need not be. Under the
Constitution they are appointed by the
Governor-General on the advice of the
Prime Minister, and serves at the Governor-General's pleasure. In practice the Attorney-General is a party politician and their tenure is determined by political factors. By convention, but not constitutional requirement, the Attorney-General is a lawyer by training, either a barrister or solicitor.