The Governor-General is the Queen’s representative in Australia.
As such, the Governor-General represents the Queen as Head of State in Australia.
In practice, the position of Governor-General is an appointment made by the prime minister of the day. The prime minister advises the Queen to make the appointment. As a constitutional monarch, the Queen will always accept that advice.
Governor-General David Hurley
David Hurley, the former Governor of New South Wales, and a retired general, has been Governor-General since July 1, 2019. He succeeded Sir Peter Cosgrove, also a former army general, who held the post since March 28, 2014. Cosgrove, in turn, succeeded the first female Governor-General, Dame Quentin Bryce, who held office between 2008 and 2014.
There have been 27 Governors-General of Australian since Federation in 1901. The first Australian born holder of the office was Sir Isaac Isaacs in 1931.
Several former politicians have been appointed Governor-General: William McKell (1941, former ALP Premier of N.S.W.), Lord Casey (1965, Liberal minister under Menzies), Paul Hasluck (1969, Liberal minister under Menzies, Holt & Gorton) and Bill Hayden (1989, ALP minister under Whitlam and Hawke).
According to Section 2 of the Constitution:
A Governor-General appointed by the Queen shall be Her Majesty’s representative in the Commonwealth, and shall have and may exercise in the Commonwealth during the Queen’s pleasure, but subject to this Constitution, such powers and functions of the Queen as Her Majesty may be pleased to assign to him.
In practice, the Governor-General is appointed by the Prime Minister of the day. For example, the incumbent, David Hurley, was appointed by Scott Morrison. His predecessor, Peter Cosgrove, was appointed by Prime Minister Abbott. Cosgrove’s predecessor, Quentin Bryce, was appointed by Prime Minister Rudd, whilst Michael Jeffery and Peter Hollingworth were appointed by Prime Minister Howard. Sir William Deane was appointed by Prime Minister Keating, and his predecessor, Bill Hayden, was appointed by Prime Minister Hawke. In all cases, the appointment was made personally by the Prime Minister. In 1999, Bob Hawke admitted that he did not even consult his Cabinet before making the appointment.
Technically, the appointment is made by “advice” to the Queen. Whilst early Governors-General were appointed directly from Britain, since the 1930s appointments have been made by the government of the day. This followed a major confrontation with the British government in the early 1930s over the appointment of the first Australian-born Governor-General, Sir Isaac Isaacs.
- Full List of Governors-General since 1901
- Letters Patent – the official instructions given to the Governor-General by the Queen, last modified in 1984.
- The Queen’s Role in Australia – an official statement from Buckingham Palace, setting out the Queen’s place in the Australian constitutional structure.
Roles and Powers of the Governor-General
- The Role of the Governor-General – an official statement from Buckingham Palace.
- Powers – a complete list of all the constitutional references to the Governor-General.
- The Executive Council and the Governor-General
- Royal Assent to Legislation – the role of the Queen and the Governor-General in the passage of legislation by the Australian Parliament.
- Whitlam Dismissal – detailed coverage of the controversy over the powers of the Governor-General in dismissing Gough Whitlam on November 11, 1975.
- Apr 4, 2001: Defence Minister Peter Reith Discusses Governor-General’s Role As Commander-In-Chief
- Jan 01, 2003: Information on WA Governor’s Role
The Rise and Fall of Archbishop Dr. Peter Hollingworth, 23rd Governor-General Of Australia – Dr. Hollingworth became Governor-General in 2001 but was besieged for most of his term over his handling of child abuse allegations in the Anglican archdiocese of Brisbane when he was Archbishop. Allegations of rape, subsequently withdrawn, led to Hollingworth’s resignation in 2003. He served just 23 months in the position.
Opening Parliament
One of the main ceremonial duties of the Governor-General is to open the proceedings of the Commonwealth Parliament following each election. The Governor-General summons members of the House of Representatives to the Senate chamber and delivers a speech prepared by the government.
Opening Parliament
- Election Officially Over As Writs Returned By AEC June 21, 2019
- Governor-General Summons 46th Parliament For July 2 Meeting June 19, 2019
- Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove’s Speech Opening The 45th Parliament August 30, 2016
- 45th Parliament Opens; Members And Senators Sworn In; House Speaker And Senate President Re-Elected Unopposed August 30, 2016
- Parliament Prorogued; New Session Starts On Monday April 15, 2016
- Senators Sworn In; New Balance Of Power As 2013 Federal Election Finally Complete July 7, 2014
- Governor-General Quentin Bryce Opens 44th Parliament November 12, 2013
- Queen’s Speech At State Opening Of U.K. Parliament May 8, 2013
- Governor-General’s Address Opening The 41st Parliament November 16, 2004
- Governor-General’s Speech Opening The 40th Parliament February 12, 2002
- Centenary Of Federation To Be Celebrated In Melbourne May 9, 2001
- Governor-General Bill Hayden Opens The 36th Parliament May 8, 1990
- Governor-General’s Speech Opening Parliament: 1987 September 14, 1987
- Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen Opens The 34th Parliament February 21, 1985
- Governor-General’s Speech Opening Parliament: 1983 April 21, 1983
- Sir John Kerr Opens The 30th Parliament February 17, 1976
- Governor-General Sir Paul Hasluck Opens The 28th Parliament February 27, 1973
Archived Posts
- Samantha Mostyn Appointed 28th Governor-General April 3, 2024
- Governor-General David Hurley’s 2024 Australia Day Address January 27, 2024
- Condolences for Bill Hayden in House of Representatives November 28, 2023
- Morrison, Albanese And Hurley Speak Following G-G Swearing-In July 1, 2019
- David Hurley Sworn In As 27th Governor-General Of Australia July 1, 2019
- Election Officially Over As Writs Returned By AEC June 21, 2019
- Governor-General Summons 46th Parliament For July 2 Meeting June 19, 2019
- Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove’s Speech Opening The 45th Parliament August 30, 2016
- 45th Parliament Opens; Members And Senators Sworn In; House Speaker And Senate President Re-Elected Unopposed August 30, 2016
- Long Tan Commemoration: Cosgrove And Turnbull Pay Tribute On 50th Anniversary Of Vietnam Battle August 18, 2016
- Writs Returned And The 2016 Federal Election Is Officially Over August 8, 2016
- Governor-General Acts On Prime Minister Turnbull’s Advice; Caretaker Period Ends July 11, 2016
- Political Figures Feature In Queen’s Birthday Honours June 13, 2016
- Australian Parliament Dissolved; Governor-General’s Official Secretary Reads Proclamation May 9, 2016
- Government House Releases Double Dissolution Documents May 8, 2016
- Malcolm Turnbull Formally Announces July 2 Double Dissolution Election May 8, 2016
- Parliament Prorogued; New Session Starts On Monday April 15, 2016
- Turnbull Recalls Parliament On April 18 And Moves Budget To May 3; Threatens Double Dissolution On July 2 If Bills Not Passed March 21, 2016
- Administrative Arrangements Order – Amendments February 18, 2016
- Turnbull’s New Ministers Sworn In; Joyce Now Deputy PM February 18, 2016
- My Story: Julia Gillard’s Book Launched By Quentin Bryce September 26, 2014
- Senators Sworn In; New Balance Of Power As 2013 Federal Election Finally Complete July 7, 2014
- Dame Quentin Bryce, 25th Governor-General Of Australia, Farewelled In Canberra March 25, 2014
- Arise Dame Quentin And Sir Peter: Abbott Reintroduces Knights And Dames For “Pre-Eminent Australians” March 25, 2014
- General Peter Cosgrove Appointed Governor-General January 28, 2014
- General Peter Cosgrove Reportedly Abbott’s Choice For Next Governor-General December 26, 2013
- Governor-General Quentin Bryce Calls For A Republic And Same-Sex Marriage November 24, 2013
- Governor-General Quentin Bryce Opens 44th Parliament November 12, 2013
- Governor-General’s Proclamation Summoning Parliament November 4, 2013
- Abbott Rejects Governor-General’s Offer To Resign Over Shorten October 13, 2013
- Tony Abbott Sworn In As Australia’s 28th Prime Minister September 18, 2013
- Why Is Kevin Rudd Still Prime Minister? September 17, 2013
- Kevin Rudd Sworn In For Second Time As Prime Minister Of Australia June 27, 2013
- Would A Double Dissolution In Early 2014 Be Unconstitutional? May 25, 2013
- Gareth Evans Maintains The Rage February 23, 2013
- Rupert Murdoch Eulogises His Mother At Memorial Service In Melbourne December 18, 2012
- Five Australian Soldiers Killed In Afghanistan August 30, 2012
- Governor-General Quentin Bryce’s ANZAC Day Address April 25, 2012
- Sir Zelman Cowen Eulogised By Josh Frydenberg December 13, 2011
- Sir Zelman Cowen, Governor-General After Kerr, Dies, 92 December 9, 2011
- Americain: Governor-General Presents 2010 Melbourne Cup November 2, 2010
- Dissolutions, Prorogations and a Mea Culpa July 19, 2010
- National Day Of Mourning Service For Bushfire Victims February 22, 2009
- Governor-General Attacked And Defended February 5, 2008
- Rudd Rules Out Beazley As Governor-General January 20, 2008
- Kevin Rudd Sworn In As Australia’s 26th Prime Minister December 3, 2007
- Governor-General Michael Jeffery’s ANZAC Day Address April 25, 2007
- Governor-General Visits Troops In Iraq, Afghanistan And Persian Gulf December 26, 2005
- Queen’s Birthday Honours Released June 13, 2005
- Governor-General Comments On The Death Of Pope John Paul II April 3, 2005
- Governor-General Michael Jeffery’s Australia Day Address January 26, 2005
- Governor-General’s Address Opening The 41st Parliament November 16, 2004
- Fourth Howard Ministry Sworn In October 26, 2004
- Jeffery (You Know, The G-G) Finally Gets Something To Do April 14, 2004
- Governor-General’s Salary And Pension September 8, 2003
- Official Biography Of Major-General Michael Jeffery June 22, 2003
- John Howard’s Press Conference Announcing Major-General Michael Jeffery As Next Governor-General June 22, 2003
- Howard Announces Appointment of Major-General Michael Jeffery As New Governor-General June 22, 2003
- Governor-General Peter Hollingworth’s Farewell Address May 28, 2003
- HOLLINGWORTH RESIGNS May 25, 2003
- Democrats Renew Call For Royal Commission On Child Abuse May 23, 2003
- Greens Condemn Howard Over Hollingworth May 23, 2003
- Hollingworth Rape Case Withdrawn: Governor-General “Giving Proper Consideration To My Long-Term Future” May 23, 2003
- Step Out Not Down: Bob Brown May 11, 2003
- Governor-General Peter Hollingworth Stands Aside May 11, 2003
- Crean Reiterates Call For Hollingworth To Resign May 8, 2003
- Hollingworth Denies Rape Allegation May 8, 2003
- No Grounds For Terminating Governor-General: Howard May 4, 2003
- Howard In USA; Fields Questions On Hollingworth May 2, 2003
- Democrats Call On Hollingworth To Step Down May 1, 2003
- Howard Says He Has No Regrets About Hollingworth May 1, 2003
- ALP Calls For Hollingworth To Resign May 1, 2003
- Western Australian Governor John Sanderson’s Appointment Extended January 1, 2003
- 2002 Christmas Messages: Howard, Crean And Hollingworth December 25, 2002
- Governor-General Hollingworth Appears To Side With Howard Over A Just War October 4, 2002
- Howard’s Flimsy Reasons For Attending Queen Mother’s Funeral April 2, 2002
- Keating Attacks Howard Over Handling Of Hollingworth Controversy March 3, 2002
- Keating: Howard Government Attacks Australia’s Great National Institutions March 3, 2002
- Hollingworth Issues Third Statement Following New Questions February 26, 2002
- Howard Continues To Back Hollingworth February 25, 2002
- Hollingworth Issues Another Statement Responding To Allegations February 24, 2002
- Howard: A Constitutional Earthquake To Sack A Governor-General February 21, 2002
- Crean: Howard Should Advise The Queen To Terminate Hollingworth’s Appointment February 21, 2002
- John Howard’s Press Conference In Support Of The Governor-General February 21, 2002
- Constitutional Crisis: Hollingworth Apologises, Then Flies To New Zealand; Crean Calls On Howard To Sack Governor-General February 21, 2002
- Governor-General Peter Hollingworth’s Statement And Apology Regarding Handling Of Child Sex Abuse Allegations February 21, 2002
- Peter Beattie Calls For Governor-General To Stand Aside February 21, 2002
- Howard Confronts Crises Over Children Overboard And Governor-General February 21, 2002
- Peter Beattie Says Hollingworth’s Position Must Be Resolved Before CHOGM February 20, 2002
- Sexual Abuse: Statement By The Governor-General February 20, 2002
- Hollingworth Unlikely To Survive February 20, 2002
- Howard Grilled At Lively Press Conference; Tense Mood In Question Time February 19, 2002
- John Howard Press Conference: Asylum Seekers, Defence Photos,Governor-General, SA Election February 19, 2002
- Governor-General’s Speech Opening The 40th Parliament February 12, 2002
- Toowoomba Preparatory School: Statement By Governor-General Peter Hollingworth December 24, 2001
- Howard Defends Hollingworth December 21, 2001
- Toowoomba Preparatory School: Statement by Governor-General Peter Hollingworth December 19, 2001
- Howard Sees Governor-General; Election Looms October 5, 2001
- Australian Parliament’s Centenary Celebrated; Howard Praises Curtin & Menzies; Beazley Calls For Republic May 9, 2001
- Sir William Deane’s Speech On the Centenary of the Australian Parliament May 9, 2001
- Archbishop Peter Hollingworth’s Media Conference On His Appointment As Governor-General April 23, 2001
- Archbishop Peter Hollingworth Appointed Governor-General: Palace Announcement April 22, 2001
- Anglican Archbishop Peter Hollingworth Appointed Next Governor-General April 22, 2001
- John Howard’s Press Conference Announcing Peter Hollingworth As Governor-General April 22, 2001
- Australia’s New Governor-General: Official Announcement April 22, 2001
- Defence Minister’s Address To The Australian College Of Defence And Strategic Studies April 4, 2001
- Sir William Deane: Centenary Of Federation Speech January 1, 2001
- Sir William Deane: Centenary Of Federation Speech January 1, 2001
- Federation Commemoration Underway In Sydney January 1, 2001
- Cathy Freeman Lights Flame At Olympic Games Opening Ceremony September 15, 2000
- Governor-General’s Term Extended by Six Months August 8, 2000
- John Landy Appointed New Victorian Governor August 8, 2000
- Governor-General Sir William Deane’s Address To Corroboree 2000 May 27, 2000
- Queen’s Representative To Open Olympic Games November 10, 1999
- John Howard’s 2UE Radio Interview with John Laws November 3, 1999
- Keating And Hewson Exchange Words Over Death Of Kerr April 9, 1991
- Governor-General Bill Hayden Opens The 36th Parliament May 8, 1990
- Governor-General Bill Hayden Interviewed By Laurie Oakes June 30, 1989
- Governor-General’s Speech Opening Parliament: 1987 September 14, 1987
- Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen Opens The 34th Parliament February 21, 1985
- Letters Patent 1984: Governor-General August 21, 1984
- Governor-General’s Speech Opening Parliament: 1983 April 21, 1983
- Fraser Calls Early Election As Hawke Replaces Hayden February 3, 1983
- Sir John Kerr Drunk At The Melbourne Cup November 1, 1977
- Sir John Kerr Booed By Crowd In South Australia August 1, 1977
- Sir John Kerr Speech Extract September 15, 1976
- Sir John Kerr Opens The 30th Parliament February 17, 1976
- Sir Paul Hasluck’s 1974 Proclamation Dissolving Parliament April 11, 1974
- Governor-General Sir Paul Hasluck Opens The 28th Parliament February 27, 1973
- 1951 Double Dissolution Correspondence: Menzies And McKell March 19, 1951