John Quigley Retirement Announcement: A New Chapter Begins
John Quigley, Western Australia’s attorney-general and the longest-serving MP, has revealed his decision not to run in the upcoming state election. After a period of contemplation, Quigley believes that the timing is right for him to step down, asserting that this choice is entirely his own.
Despite his impending departure from the political arena, Quigley will fulfill his duties as attorney-general and member of parliament until the 2025 WA election. He expressed his willingness to continue serving in any role designated by the premier, but clarified that he will not seek preselection for the upcoming election cycle.
Since assuming the role of attorney-general in 2017 under the McGowan Labor government, John Quigley has been instrumental in shaping the legal landscape of Western Australia.
John Quigley Retirement Announcement
John Quigley, WA’s attorney-general and an MP, will be stepping down next year, as revealed in his retirement announcement. The 75-year-old made this decision after a period of reflection, emphasizing his commitment to serving the Labor Party’s values and goals rather than personal interests.
Quigley expressed that the timing felt right, especially amidst significant law reforms, signaling a smooth transition of responsibilities. He clarified that his choice to retire was independent and not influenced by external pressures, asserting his autonomy in the decision-making process.
WA Attorney-General Acknowledges Error in High-Stakes Defamation Trial
John Quigley, in the midst of Mark McGowan’s defamation trial against Clive Palmer, publicly apologizes for a minor oversight in his testimony, referring to it as a “silly little error.” Quigley expresses his embarrassment regarding the mistake.
During the trial, John Quigley retirement announcement, was not directly related to the error made by the Attorney-General. However, the incident did shed light on the importance of accuracy and attention to detail in high-profile legal proceedings.
### John Quigley Retirement Announcement: Pressure to Resign for Political Maneuvering
Multiple Labor sources have informed the ABC that Mr. Quigley faced pressure to step down to make room in Parliament for Daniel Pastorelli, the Premier’s Chief of Staff. It is believed that Mr. Pastorelli had his sights set on the Landsdale seat, soon to be vacated by Margaret Quirk of Labor upon her retirement. The seat had been earmarked for the current party president, Lorna Clarke, necessitating the need to find an alternative position for her. Consequently, Mr. Quigley’s Butler seat emerged as a viable solution for some, partly due to concerns about the attorney-general’s age. This proposed arrangement would involve Mr. Pastorelli contesting in Landsdale and Ms. Clarke being pre-selected in Butler.
Clive Palmer’s Late Career Defined by Controversial Clashes
Speculation arose prior to a late 2022 cabinet reshuffle suggesting that Mr. Quigley might be stripped of his portfolios, a claim he dismissed as “nonsense” at the time.
This speculation followed a public apology and a correction of the record regarding his testimony in a high-profile defamation case involving Queensland tycoon Clive Palmer and former WA premier Mark McGowan.
### John Quigley’s Tenure as Attorney-General
Since 2017, Mr. Quigley has held the position of attorney-general under the McGowan government, as reported by ABC News. During a recent case, he was characterized as a “confused witness” but dismissed it as a minor mistake made under pressure. Despite this, he considered it inconsequential in the grand scheme of the trial. Prior to this incident, Mr. Quigley celebrated a significant victory over Clive Palmer in the High Court, where Palmer sought to sue the state for a substantial sum related to an iron ore project. Mr. Quigley proudly labeled this triumph as one of his most memorable moments, expressing his satisfaction in bringing down Clive Palmer. The announcement of John Quigley’s retirement adds an interesting layer to his impactful career.
John Quigley Retirement Announcement: Conclusion of Lengthy Parliamentary Service
John Quigley, who commenced his tenure as the Member for Innaloo in 2001 and was subsequently re-elected in various electoral redistributions to the seats of Mindarie and Butler, has announced the end of his long parliamentary career.
Prior to his political endeavors, Mr. Quigley practiced law for 25 years, specializing mainly in criminal law.
Expressing his sentiments, Commonwealth Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus conveyed his deep sadness regarding the news.
Mark Dreyfus praised Mr. Quigley’s unwavering dedication as the WA Attorney-General over the past seven years, emphasizing his efforts to enhance access to justice within the state.
Mark Dreyfus fondly recalled Mr. Quigley’s valuable advice, his delightful sense of humor, and extended his best wishes for the future.
Recognizing Mr. Quigley’s contributions, the knowmore Legal Service, which offers assistance to survivors of child sexual abuse, highlighted his role in eliminating time restrictions for individuals seeking legal recourse for such offenses.
In September 2023, Mr. Quigley addressed the public outside state parliament, as reported by ABC News’ James Carmody. The statement highlighted the significant impact of his advocacy on numerous lives, with hopes that the changes he implemented in Western Australia will continue to positively affect survivors in the future.
President Catriona Macleod of Women Lawyers of Western Australia commended Mr. Quigley for his dedicated efforts to enhance female and diverse representation within the court system. She emphasized that his contributions not only increased the presence of women in WA courts but also transformed the landscape of the legal profession.
Furthermore, Mr. Quigley was instrumental in reforming laws that previously allowed for the indefinite detention of individuals deemed mentally unfit to stand trial or be convicted of a crime. Additionally, in 2008, he publicly accused “corrupt police officers” of vandalizing his house and boat with bright red graffiti.
The incident occurred shortly after Mr. Quigley gained recognition in the WA political sphere for his involvement in overturning Andrew Mallard’s conviction for the 1994 murder of jeweller Pamela Lawrence. After spending 12 years in jail, Mr. Mallard’s conviction was overturned in 2006 due to crucial evidence uncovered by Mr. Quigley, leading to a High Court decision in Mr. Mallard’s favor.
Moreover, as the then-shadow attorney-general, Mr. Quigley faced a fine in 2011 for threatening to expose the identity of an undercover police officer unless the officer disclosed the truth about his role in Mr. Mallard’s case. The retirement announcement of John Quigley serves as a reminder of his impactful legacy in Western Australia.
Crackdown on Bikie Gangs
During his later career, Mr. Quigley spearheaded a strong enforcement action against bikie gangs, implementing a prohibition on gang insignia and restricting convicted felons from interacting or assembling.
Last year in Parliament, the attorney-general expressed apprehensions about his safety following an incident involving a bikie gang member.
Mr. Quigley voiced his unease, stating, “I am somewhat troubled by a notorious criminal displaying a T-shirt with the message ‘Mr. Squigley, eff you’.”
He emphasized, “Regardless of their attempts to intimidate me or the Labor party, we will not retreat in the face of such violence.”
Under Mr. Quigley’s leadership, also serving as the electoral affairs minister, the Labor government revamped the state’s electoral regulations and implemented measures to eliminate loopholes in political contributions.
Premier Roger Cook expressed gratitude to Mr. Quigley for his dedication to the community.
Roger Cook expressed his appreciation for John Quigley following his announcement of retirement before the upcoming state election. According to ABC News’ Cason Ho, Cook highlighted Quigley’s significant contribution, mentioning that under Quigley’s guidance, more than 60 pieces of legislation were successfully passed in parliament. Cook specifically acknowledged Quigley’s pivotal role in the voluntary assisted dying legislation, emphasizing his invaluable legal counsel and leadership in the process.
