Governor-General of Australia
The Governor-General of Australia is the representative of the English monarch - currently Elizabeth II - in Australia. The Governor-General has been nominated by the Australian Prime Minister and appointed by the monarch since 1929. Since 1965, only Australians have been nominated and appointed. The current incumbent is Governor-General David Hurley.
The Governor-General is the supreme power of the Executive. The Governor-General is the President of the Federal Executive Council and the supreme commander of the Australian Defence Force. The Governor-General's duties include appointing ministers, judges and ambassadors. The rights and duties are detailed in the Australian Constitution. Although the Constitution vests the Governor-General with extensive powers, the Governor-General (with few exceptions) acts only on the instructions of the Prime Minister and his ministers. Typically, the Governor-General appoints the leader of the largest party or coalition in the House of Representatives as Prime Minister.
Governor-General John Kerr acted contrary to this principle in the Australian Constitutional Crisis of 1975: he dismissed then-Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and appointed Malcolm Fraser as acting Prime Minister instead. On Malcolm Fraser's instructions, Kerr dissolved the Senate and House of Representatives to call a new election.
The form of address shall be "His Excellency the Honourable" for male office-holders and "Her Excellency the Honourable" for female office-holders.
Governors-General of Australia
Hope | Tennyson | Northcote | Ward | Denman | Munro-Ferguson | Forster | Baird | Isaacs | Hore-Ruthven | Prince Henry | McKell | Slim | Morrison | Sidney | Casey | Hasluck | Kerr | Cowen | Stephen | Hayden | Deane | Hollingworth | Jeffery | Bryce | Cosgrove | Hurley
Insignia: Edwards crown and acacia leaves
Service flag of the Governor General
Questions and Answers
Q: Who is the Governor-General of Australia?
A: The current Governor-General of Australia is David Hurley.
Q: What is the role of the Governor-General of Australia?
A: The Governor-General of Australia is the representative of Australia's head of state, and is responsible for leading the Executive Council and commanding the Australian Defence Forces.
Q: Who is Australia's head of state?
A: Australia's head of state is Charles III.
Q: Is the Governor-General of Australia a powerful person in the country?
A: Yes, the Governor-General of Australia is a powerful person in the country.
Q: What is the Executive Council?
A: The Executive Council is a council of advisers appointed by the Governor-General, which is responsible for advising the government on matters of state.
Q: What is the role of the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Forces?
A: The Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Forces is responsible for leading and directing the Australian military.
Q: Does the Governor-General of Australia have the power to declare war?
A: No, the power to declare war in Australia is vested in the Prime Minister and the Parliament.
