Mark Dreyfus flags Bernard Collaery case as priority if appointed attorney general

Mark Dreyfus has criticised the delays, secrecy and cost associated with the commonwealth’s handling of Bernard Collaery’s prosecution. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Labor’s Mark Dreyfus has flagged he will seek an urgent briefing from the attorney general’s department on the handling of the Bernard Collaery case, should he be appointed Australia’s first law officer.

Dreyfus, who was shadow attorney general in opposition, has previously criticised the commonwealth’s conduct of the prosecution, saying the delays and secrecy appeared to be an “affront to the rule of law”.