Governor-General of Australia
The governor-general of Australia is the representative of the monarch of Australia, currently King Charles III, and performs many constitutional, ceremonial and community roles in the Australian political system.[1] When performing these roles, the governor-general acts independently and is not the King's delegate or agent. The current governor-general is David Hurley, having been appointed on 1 July 2019.[3][4] Samantha Mostyn has been chosen by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to be the next governor-general, beginning 1 July 2024.[5]
For a list of office holders, see List of governors-general of Australia.Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
Monarch of Australia
on the advice of the prime minister
At His Majesty's pleasure
(typically 5 years)[1]
1 January 1901
$495,000[2]
Significant functions of the governor-general include giving royal assent to bills passed by the houses of parliament, issuing writs for elections, exercising executive power on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, formally appointing the prime minister and other ministers, judges and ambassadors, acting as commander-in-chief of the Australian Defence Force, and bestowing Australian honours.[6] However, in almost all instances the governor-general only exercises de jure power in accordance with the principles of the Westminster system and responsible government. This requires them to remain politically neutral and to only act in accordance with Parliament (such as when selecting the prime minister and providing royal assent) or on the advice of ministers (when performing executive actions). However, in certain limited circumstances, the governor-general can act independently without or against formal advice by exercising reserve powers, most notably during the 1975 Australian constitutional crisis. These situations are often controversial and the use of and continued existence of these powers remains highly debated.
In their ceremonial and community roles, the governor-general represents the nation as a whole. Domestically, this role entails attending services and commemorations, sponsoring community organisations and hosting events at one of the two official residences (Government House in Canberra and Admiralty House in Sydney). Internationally, the governor-general represents Australia by travelling to significant events and by performing and receiving state visits. The governor-general is supported by a staff (of 80 in 2018[7]) headed by the official secretary to the governor-general of Australia.
The governor-general is selected by the prime minister, but formally appointed by the monarch of Australia on the prime minister's advice.[8][9] Their term is not fixed, but they generally serve for five years by convention. From Federation in 1901 until 1965, 11 out of the 15 governors-general were British aristocrats; they included six barons, two viscounts, two earls, and one prince.[10] Since then, all but one of the governors-general have been Australian-born; the exception, Sir Ninian Stephen, arrived in Australia as a teenager. Only one governor-general, Dame Quentin Bryce (2008–2014), has been a woman. A second woman, Samantha Mostyn, will take office on 1 July 2024.[11][12][13]
Community role[edit]
The governor-general is generally invited to become patron of various charitable and service organisations. Historically the governor-general has also served as Chief Scout of Australia. The chief scout is nominated by the Scouting Association's National Executive Committee and is invited by the president of the Scout Association to accept the appointment.[72] Bill Hayden declined the office on the grounds of his atheism, which was incompatible with the Scout Promise.[73] He did however serve as the association's patron during his term of office.