Wanted - a distinguished lawyer to be Australia's second law officer, able to get on with his boss Attorney-General George Brandis.
That follows the resignation of Solicitor-General Justin Gleeson SC on Monday following an unseemly and damaging row with Senator Brandis.
He held this job for three and a half years.
Senator Brandis announced Mr Gleeson's decision on Monday afternoon with the release of his blistering resignation letter.
“I have come to this decision with great regret, but the best interests of the Commonwealth can be served only when its first and second law officers enjoy each other’s complete trust and confidence within a mutually respectful relationship,” wrote Mr Gleeson.
"When such a relationship is irretrievably broken, as is the case here, and each law officer holds a term of office established by the constitution or statute which will not expire in the near future, there must be some resolution to the impasse.”
Mr Gleeson said he decided to step down because Senator Brandis, as an elected Member of Parliament, holds his office through the will of the people.
But he did not take a backwards step regarding the row the pair have been having over the Attorney-General's directive in May that every approach to the Solicitor-General for advice had to go through his office.
"My decision does not amount to a withdrawal of any position I have taken in relation to matters of controversy between us," the letter states.
"I reject absolutely each and every attack and insinuation that has been made in recent times upon me personally, or upon my office, by government members of parliament, including you, in Senate Committee processes."
Mr Gleeson was referring to the six-hour committee hearing this month where both men argued over whether he was consulted about what he called a 'radical change' in practice.
Senator Brandis said the change was a minor procedural matter which he did consult Mr Gleeson about.
He released a statement which thanked Mr Gleeson for his service but said the resignation was the "proper course of action".
Opposition leader Bill Shorten said Mr Gleeson was "an honourable man pushed out of office by a dishonourable government. Turnbull should hang his head in shame."
"Senator Brandis should be condemned for his reprehensible and scandalous conduct," shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus said in a statement, adding the minister should be sacked.
Greens Senator Nick McKim said "Senator Brandis still has serious questions to answer regarding his statements to the Senate and the Committee, and the way he treated Mr Gleeson."
The resignation is to take effect on November 7th.
In the meantime, longtime government lawyer Tom Howe QC will be appointed as acting solicitor-general.
-With AAP
