Legal Services Expenditure

Use of AGS for national security matters is one of the requirements specified in the Attorney-General’s Legal Services Directions (issued pursuant to section 55ZF of the Judiciary Act 1903). Expenditure on legal services fluctuates from year to year and is largely dependent upon the nature of the inquiries undertaken.

2009-10

In 2009-10 legal advice was obtained from:

AGS to a total cost of $26,212 (GST inclusive). This comprised $23,553 (GST inclusive) in respect of tied work pursuant to the Commonwealth Legal Services Directions and $2,659 (GST inclusive) for general legal services.
Blake Dawson, in respect of advice about processes to negotiate a new OIGIS enterprise agreement, at a cost of $6,202 (GST inclusive).

The office did not engage any other solicitors or any counsel direct during the reporting period, and there are no internal legal services.

2008-09

In 2008–09 OIGIS paid AGS for legal services on six separate matters at a combined cost of $38,132.05 GST inclusive. The office also engaged Blake Dawson for legal advice on one matter. The total paid to Blake Dawson was $15,541.63 GST inclusive.

2007-08

In 2007–08 OIGIS paid for five separate AGS legal advices at a combined cost of $114,056 GST inclusive. The office did not engage any other solicitors or any counsel during the reporting period, and there are no internal legal services.

2006-07

In 2006–07 OIGIS paid for four separate AGS legal advices at a combined cost of $3,339 GST inclusive. The office did not engage any other solicitors or any counsel during the reporting period, and there are no internal legal services.

2005-06

In 2005–06 OIGIS paid for ten separate AGS legal advices at a combined cost of $40,006 GST inclusive. The office did not engage any other solicitors or any counsel direct during the reporting period, and there are no internal legal services.