Solicitor-General Act 1985

What they do:

• Represent the government and its agencies in courts and legal proceedings, when asked by the Attorney-General
• Perform other legal advisory work for the government

Pay and benefits:

• Salary is set at 80% of what a Supreme Court judge earns
• Leave entitlements mirror those of ordinary public servants plus some judge-equivalent long leave
• If their appointment ends (other than for misconduct or becoming a judge), they get a lump sum payout of 6% per year of service
• If they die in office, their spouse and children get pension benefits similar to a judge's dependants
• If they later become a Supreme Court or District Court judge, their time as Solicitor-General counts toward their judicial pension

Side work restrictions:

• They generally cannot practise as a barrister outside their official role or take other paid work
• With special approval from the Governor in Council, limited private legal practice is allowed — but they can never act against the Crown while in office

Being removed from the job:

• They can resign in writing
• They can be removed for misconduct or physical/mental incapacity
• Mandatory removal applies if they go bankrupt, are absent without authorised leave for too long, or breach the side-work restrictions

Bottom Line

This is an internal government machinery law. It doesn't directly regulate everyday Queenslanders, but it ensures the State always has a highly qualified, independent senior lawyer available to represent the public interest in legal proceedings.