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Mick Atkinson was elected to the Parliament of South Australia on 25 November 1989.
Mick worked as a sub-editor and journalist for the Adelaide Advertiser between 1982 and 1985, then as an adviser to Federal Minister Chris Hurford, then as an advocate for the Shop Distributive & Allied Employees’ Association.
Mick graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons), majoring in history, and a Bachelor of Laws from the Australian National University after being educated at Glenelg Primary School and Unley High School.
Mick was appointed to the Ministry after Labor formed Government in 2002 and held the portfolios of
Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Veterans' Affairs until his retirement from the front bench after the 2010 re-election of the Rann Labor Government.
Before joining Cabinet in 2002, Michael was Labor’s spokesman for Attorney-General, Justice and Multicultural Affairs, and served on parliamentary committees that investigated HIV/AIDS, gambling, prostitution, euthanasia and retail leasing. He also authored a bill to allow victims of serious crime to read their victim impact statement to the court, before the court sentenced the offender.
As the Member for Croydon (formerly Spence) representing the suburbs of Hindmarsh, Bowden, Brompton, Ridleyton, Croydon, West Hindmarsh, Welland, Allenby Gardens, Beverley, Findon, Flinders Park, West Croydon, Kilkenny, Woodville Park, Croydon Park, Dudley Park, Devon Park and Renown Park. Mick prides himself on staying in touch with his electorate. Mick can often be seen doing his electorate rounds on his bike, doorknocking his constituents, hand delivering welcome letters to new arrivals to the area, or having a kick of the footy at half time while watching the Eagles play at Woodville Oval. Many constituents will often hear Mick on talkback radio.
He follows the Woodville-West Torrens Eagles and his other interests include his church at West Croydon, gardening, going to the races, fishing, reading and his Maltese Terrier-Lhasa Apso X, Gus.
As Attorney-General, Mick pioneered reforms of South Australian laws protecting victims, changing laws on weapons and knives, closing loop holes in our criminal justice system, introducing anti-hoon driving laws, and cracking down on bikies and serious and organised crime.
Premier Mike Rann and Mick inspecting the damage left by hoon drivers and about to announce wheel-clamping of the cars of hoon drivers and extending the period of wheel-clamping or impounding to seven days from 48 hours.
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