On 14 May 2004, the Attorney-General announced the appointment of Peter Quiggin as First Parliamentary Counsel. This appointment was extended on 30 March 2011 for a further 7 years. Mr Quiggin was awarded a Public Service Medal in the Australia Day 2008 Honours.

Mr Peter Quiggin, FPC

Mr Peter Quiggin PSM

The following is a list of the men and women who have held the position of First Parliamentary Counsel (or the equivalent position) since Federation in 1901:

Commonwealth Parliamentary Draftsmen
Sir Robert Randolph GARRAN GCMG, KCMG, CMG, KC	1901 - 1932
George Shaw KNOWLES CBE, MA, LLM	1932 - 1946
Martin Charles BONIWELL CBE	1946 - 1949
John Qualtrough EWENS CMG, CBE, OBE, QC	1949 - 1970

First Parliamentary Counsel
John Qualtrough EWENS CMG, CBE, OBE, QC	1970 - 1972
Charles Kennedy COMANS CBE, OBE, QC	1972 - 1977
Bronte Clucas QUAYLE CB, OBE, QC, Star of Pakistan	1977 - 1981
Geoff Kolterman KOLTS OBE, QC	1981 - 1986
Ian Maclean Lindsay TURNBULL QC	1986 - 1993
Hilary Ruth PENFOLD PSM, QC, Centenary Medal	1993 - 2004
Peter Alan QUIGGIN PSM	2004 - Present

Note: The Office of Commonwealth Parliamentary Draftsman was made a separate office on 8 July 1948. Prior to this time the Secretary was also the Parliamentary Draftsman.