Minister Murphy Sworn In As Attorney General

Premier Pat Binns announced today the appointment of the Honourable Mitch Murphy to the position of Attorney General. Mr. Murphy will retain his current portfolio as Minister of Technology and Environment.

The Premier notes that it is still his full intention to appoint Wes MacAleer, Minister of Community Services, to the role of Attorney General, once the matter of the conflict of interest allegations is concluded.

"When the cabinet was shuffled in July of this year, I anticipated that this matter would be concluded by the end of September," said Premier Binns. "My role in assuming the Attorney General's portfolio at that time was a stop gap measure only. Given that the matter is on-going and may continue for some time into the future, and given the time demands in my role as Premier, it is appropriate to reassign this important portfolio to a minister."

The Premier noted that Mr. Murphy has previously served as Attorney General and was the logical choice for this important portfolio. Mr. Murphy served as Attorney General for the period November 1996 to July 1998. He was sworn into his new duties by the Lieutenant Governor this morning at 9:00 am.