Hosting visiting Heads of State and other prominent visitors to Australia, Receivingthe credentials of newly appointed Ambassadors and High Commissioners to Australia, Through Federal Executive Council, appointing the Chief of Defence Force and Service Chiefs, Commissioning officers in the Navy, Army and Air Force, Presenting Colours, Banners and other Honours to military units and personnel, Visiting military units to acknowledge the service of service personnel. Following the proclamation of the King in London, proclamations have been read across Australia, including outside New South Wales' Parliament House.A crowd . The position came into being with the adoption of the new national constitution on 1 January 1901, and has been held by 27 people since then. Governors-general have no fixed term, but have usually served for around five years. What is exercisable is original executive power: that is, the very thing vested in the Queen by section 61. The Governor-General encourages, articulates and represents the things that unite Australia as a nation. I've been invited to his coronation, on the first Saturday in May, I will attend along with the Governor-General, with other guests as well who have been invited by the Palace," he said. [60], In 1919, Prime Minister Billy Hughes sent a memorandum to the Colonial Office in which he requested "a real and effective voice in the selection of the King's representative". According to Section 2 of the Australian Constitution, the Governor-General is appointed by the King to be His Majesty's representative in Australia. In 1989, Bill Hayden, a republican, declined appointment to the British Privy Council and any imperial honours. The Governor-General's duties as Commander-in-Chief include: "In my closing speeches as Governor, I highlighted the richness of our society, not the material richness, but a richness of spirit. Dame Quentin Bryce (20082014) was the first woman to be appointed to the office. The most important power is found in section 58: "When a proposed law passed by both Houses of Parliament is presented to the Governor-General for the Queen's assent, he shall declare that he assents in the Queen's name." The Governor-General was sworn-in on 1 July 2019. These powers remain in section 59 of the Constitution of Australia, but today are regarded as dead letters. [53] There is also a tropical version made of white tropical wool cut in a typical military fashion worn with a plumed helmet. He was appointed in July 1900, returning to Australia shortly before the inauguration of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901. Hollingworth resigned on 28 May 2003. The Governor-General has an important role in the governing of Australia. In a very real sense, they represented the British Government. Sort By: Good Essays. In general, the governor-general observes the conventions of the Westminster system and responsible government, maintaining a political neutrality, and acts only on the advice of the prime minister or other ministers or, in certain cases, parliament. To provide continuity through general elections both federally and in New South Wales, Hurley succeeded General Sir Peter Cosgrove, who had planned to retire in March 2019, on 1 July 2019.[1][2]. A governor-general may be recalled or dismissed by the monarch before their term is complete. At the start of Chapter 2 on executive government, the constitution says "The executive power of the Commonwealth is vested in the Queen and is exercisable by the Governor-General as the Queen's representative". Governors-general have during their tenure the style His/Her Excellency the Honourable and their spouses have the style His/Her Excellency. On Thursday 2 March 2023, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) p. resided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council. The Governor General is the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force. On the day parliament opens, the governor-general makes a speech, entirely written by the government, explaining the government's proposed legislative program. In Commentaries on the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia, Garran noted that, since the Australian executive is national in nature (being dependent on the nationally elected House of Representatives, rather than the Senate), "the Governor-General, as the official head of the Executive, does not in the smallest degree represent any federal element; if he represents anything he is the image and embodiment of national unity and the outward and visible representation of the Imperial relationship of the Commonwealth".[34]. . [6] Since 1 July 2019, the governor-general has been General David Hurley.[8][9]. [38] There is some ambiguity with regard to the role of the governor-general in declarations of war. This, among other things, led to the Statute of Westminster 1931 and to the formal separation of the Crowns of the Dominions. The Governor-General of Australia is the representative in Australia of Australia's head of state, Charles III. However, that custom fell into disuse during the tenure of Sir Paul Hasluck. The recipients have had a significant impact at the local, national and international level and are, quite simply, inspiring, the Governor-General said. Australian News Channel Pty Ltd 2017 - 2023. Mr Albanese told reporters on Saturday how he has accepted an invitation to attend the crowning of the monarch in the United Kingdom alongside Mr Hurley. Sir Isaac Issacs had the esteemed honour of becoming the first Australian-born governor-general in 1931. Former leading politicians and members of the judiciary have figured prominently. received Ms Minoli Perera, Ambassador- designate to Zimbabwe. The following year, as Ronald Munro Ferguson's term was about to expire, Hughes cabled the Colonial Office and asked that the appointment be made in accordance with the memorandum. Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Badge Flag of the Governor-General Incumbent David Hurley since 1 July 2019 Viceregal Style His Excellencythe Honourable Status Representative of the Head of state Commander in chief Residence Government House(Canberra) Admiralty House(Sydney) Seat Canberra Nominator Prime Minister of Australia [32], In addition to the formal constitutional role, the governor-general has a representative and ceremonial role, though the extent and nature of that role has depended on the expectations of the time, the individual in office at the time, the wishes of the incumbent government, and the individual's reputation in the wider community. The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, The Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General. I've spent the morning watching Hurley wander between tables of war widows (average age 81, according to the governor general), microphone in hand, leading them in song over cucumber and smoked . The first Australian-born Governor-General was the Right Honourable Sir Isaac Alfred Isaacs, who served from 1931 to 1936. This fact sheet introduces the constitutional, ceremonial and civic roles of the Governor-General, and the history of the position. The governor-general also has a ceremonial role: hosting events at either of the two official residencesGovernment House in the capital, Canberra, and Admiralty House in Sydneyand travelling throughout Australia to open conferences, attend services and commemorations, and generally provide encouragement to individuals and groups who are contributing to their communities. Section 4 of the constitution allows the Monarch to appoint an administrator to carry out the role of governor-general when there is a vacancy. A biography for the Governor-General can be found on the Governor-General's website. Today, the law ensures the salary is higher than that for the Chief Justice of the High Court, over a five-year period. John Robert Kerr (1914-1991), lawyer, judge, and governor-general, was born on 24 September 1914 at Balmain, Sydney, eldest of eight children of New South Wales-born parents Harry Kerr, boilermaker, and his wife Laura May, ne Cardwell. Please read ourPrivacy Statement, The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, The Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General, E-mail the Governor-General or Government House, Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley's biography, Receiving a congratulatory message from the Governor-General, The Governor-General's Official residences. The provisions to select the administrator of the government . The King maintained that it was now his sole prerogative to choose a governor-general, and he wanted Field-Marshal Sir William Birdwood for the Australian post. Governor-General Quentin Bryce signs Julia Gillard's commission as prime minister of Australia at Government House, Canberra, 24 June 2010. 87 following. Early governors-general were British and were appointed by the queen or king on the recommendation of the Colonial Office. They do this to celebrate the best of Australia and recognise the everyday Australians who, without fuss or fanfare, contribute to the lives of others and make Australia such a compassionate, harmonious and peaceful place. Under the Australian Constitution, the only action performed by The King is the appointment of the Governor-General (on the advice of the Australian Prime Minister). The current Governor-General is David Hurley . [35] All subsequent governors-general have travelled widely while in office and made multiple state visits. [57] They exercised this power several times. The Governor-General is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force. She was in office when, on 19 March 2014, Elizabeth II, acting on the advice of Prime Minister Tony Abbott, amended the letters patent of the Order of Australia to provide, inter alia, that the governor-general would be, ex officio, Principal Knight or Principal Dame of the order. [64] (Lord Stamfordham had complained that Scullin had "put a gun to the King's head".). [43] For instance, in 1970 Governor-General Paul Hasluck refused Prime Minister John Gorton's request to authorise a Pacific Islands Regiment peacekeeping mission in the Territory of Papua and New Guinea, on the grounds that cabinet had not been consulted. In 2007, media outlets reported that Prince William might become governor-general of Australia. [65] The opposition Nationalist Party of Australia denounced the appointment as "practically republican", but Scullin had set a precedent. In 1976, the letters patent for the order were amended to introduce the rank of Knight and Dame to the order, and from that time the governor-general became, ex officio, the Chancellor and Principal Knight of the order. SA Premier Steven Marshall said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade secretary would replace current Governor Hieu Van Le.