Michael Atkinson (politician)

Early life

Atkinson attended Glenelg Primary School and Unley High School. He then studied at the Australian National University and received a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in history and also a Bachelor of Laws degree.

He worked as a sub-editor and journalist for the Adelaide Advertiser from 1982 to 1985, an adviser and press secretary to federal minister Chris Hurford from 1985 to 1987, before becoming an advocate for the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) in 1989.

Parliamentary career

A founding member of the Labor Right faction, Atkinson was first elected to Parliament at the 1989 election. Following the 1993 election, he was shadow minister in a range of portfolios until Labor won government at the 2002 election. He subsequently became Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister for Multicultural Affairs in the Rann cabinet. In a minor cabinet reshuffle in 2004, Atkinson lost his portfolio of Consumer Affairs. He became Minister for Correctional Services in 2006.

He was re-elected at the 2006 election landslide in his seat of Croydon with a 76 percent two-party vote from a 6.9 percent two-party swing toward him. At the 2010 election Atkinson was again re-elected, but with a 12 percent two-party swing against him, significantly higher than the statewide 8.4 percent two-party swing. Following his re-election, he announced he would resign from the Rann ministry but remain on the backbench. Atkinson was re-elected at the 2014 election where he picked up a 3.5 percent two-party swing toward him.

On 5 February 2013 Atkinson replaced Lyn Breuer as Speaker of the South Australian House of Assembly.

In September 2016, Peter Malinauskas moved house and into Atkinson's electorate of Croydon. He said of Atkinson: "Mick [Atkinson] knows the movements of every single one of his constituents – I suspect I’m no exception.”

Atkinson announced in February 2017 that he would be retiring from parliament as of the 2018 election.

Political views

Media classification and censorship

Atkinson had blocked several attempts to introduce a R18+ for video games in Australia. In a letter on the subject, Atkinson stated, "I don't support the introduction of an R18+ rating for electronic games, chiefly because it will greatly increase the risk of children and vulnerable adults being exposed to damaging images and messages." He also withdrew his support for a discussion paper released for public consultation on the subject of an R18+ rating.

Unanimity from Atkinson and his fellow state and federal Attorneys-General is required for the introduction of the rating (or a change to that requirement). Australia's rating system lacked a classification for games above MA15+ at the time. It therefore lacked not only an equivalent rating to the ESRB's AO (adults only) rating but also an equivalent to its Mature (17+) rating. After Atkinson stepped down as Attorney-General in 2010, an R18+ rating for video games in Australia was eventually implemented in 2013.

In 2009, Atkinson, in his role as attorney-general of South Australia, introduced laws into parliament that made internet commentary on the upcoming 2010 election illegal unless the commenter provided their real name and postcode. The laws were passed, and came into effect on 6 January 2010. Following public criticism, Atkinson later promised to repeal the section following the 2010 South Australian election and indicated it would not be enforced during the electoral period.

Victims' rights

In 2008, Atkinson introduced legislation aimed at increasing the rights of victims of crime. The legislation purported to allow victims to suggest a suitable sentence for the offender and made it compulsory for judges to consider imposing a restraining order on convicted sex offenders.

Casting votes

During his time as speaker, Atkinson used his casting vote in Parliament to oppose several bills presented during the Weatherill government. These include a bill which would have allowed transgender people to have their gender officially changed on their birth certificates and another bill intended to enable voluntary euthanasia.

Personal life

Atkinson is separated from his wife, Joan (née Phyland), with whom he has three sons and a daughter. Atkinson's long-term and current de facto partner is fellow state Labor MP Jennifer Rankine.

Atkinson is a member of the Traditional Anglican Communion, and was formerly its chancellor.

References

References

1. (2008). "Who's Who in Australia 2008".
2. (4 February 2013). "New parliamentary speaker Michael Atkinson criticised for partisan tweets". AdelaideNow.
3. Kelton, Greg. (22 March 2010). "Attorney-General Michael Atkinson quits front bench". AdelaideNow.
4. "Michael Atkinson – Member and Candidate for Croydon". Australian Labor Party South Australian Branch.
5. Green, Antony. (29 March 2010). "Croydon 2010 Election Results". ABC News.
6. Green, Antony. (29 March 2010). "2010 South Australian Election State of the Parties". ABC News.
7. (2016-09-24). "Off the Record: SA's home of political, legal and business gossip". The Advertiser.
8. [http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/state-labor-mps-michael-atkinson-jennifer-rankine-and-steph-key-quitting-politics-at-next-election/news-story/a2e1c19941c8e192924cfc63e2e115a5 State Labor MPs Michael Atkinson, Jennifer Rankine and Steph Key quitting politics at next election: The Advertiser 3 February 2017]
9. Moses, Asher. (15 July 2008). "Fallout continues from ban on game". The Age Company Ltd.
10. Parker, Laura. (26 January 2009). "Michael Atkinson talks Aussie game classification". Gamespot.
11. Hill, Jason. (30 October 2008). "Censoring the censorship debate". The Age.
12. (1 March 2010). "An R18+ Classification for Computer Games – Public Consultation". Attorney-General's Department.
13. McCauley, Dennis. (10 August 2009). "Upcoming RPG Risen Smacked by Australian Banhammer". Entertainment Consumer's Association (ECA).
14. (18 June 2012). "Gamers get adults-only R18+ classification".
15. Dowdell, Andrew. (2 February 2010). "Outrage as Rann Government, Opposition unite to gag internet election debate". The Advertiser.
16. Kelton, Greg. (2 February 2010). "Attorney-General Michael Atkinson vows to repeal election internet censorship law amid reader furore". The Advertiser.
17. (28 October 2008). "Revamped victims' rights bill unveiled". ABC Adelaide.
18. (2016-09-23). "Jay denies rift after colleagues help kill "culture war" gender bill - InDaily". InDaily.
19. Novak, Lauren. (2016-11-17). "Voluntary euthanasia Bill voted down: Why Speaker Michael Atkinson voted against it". The Advertiser.
20. "Minister Profile: Hon Michael Atkinson MP".
21. ABC News (16 Feb 2010). [https://web.archive.org/web/20100218010018/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/16/2820606.htm Attorney-General steps up fight with gamers]. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
22. [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-04/michael-atkinson-and-jennifer-rankine-to-retire-from-politics/8241300 Veteran SA MPs Michael Atkinson, Jennifer Rankine to retire from politics: ABC 4 February 2017]
23. Livingstone, Tess. (19 March 2010). "Anglican-Catholic union has a following". The Australian.