Why governor general

A memorandum from the Governor-General setting out his views was tabled in the House:. On the 8th of January the Prime Minister waited on the Governor-General and tendered to him his resignation. In doing so Mr. Hughes offered no advice as to who should be asked to form an Administration. The Governor-General considered that it was his paramount duty a to make provision for carrying on the business of the country in accordance with the principles of parliamentary government, b to avoid a situation arising which must lead to a further appeal to the country within twelve months of an election resulting in the return of two Houses of similar political complexion, which are still working in unison.

The Governor-General was also of the opinion that in granting a commission for the formation of a new Administration his choice must be determined solely by the parliamentary situation. Any other course would be a departure from constitutional practice, and an infringement of the rights of Parliament. In the absence of such parliamentary indications as are given by a defeat of the Government in Parliament, the Governor-General endeavoured to ascertain what the situation was by seeking information from representatives of all sections of the House with a view to determining where the majority lay, and what prospects there were of forming an alternative Government.

As a result of these interviews, in which the knowledge and views of all those he consulted were most freely and generously placed at his service, the Governor-General was of the opinion that the majority of the National Party was likely to retain its cohesion, and that therefore a Government having the promise of stability could only be formed from that section of the House. Investigations failed to elicit proof of sufficient strength in any other quarter.

It also became clear to him that the leader in the National Party, who had the best prospect of securing unity among his followers and of therefore being able to form a Government having those elements of permanence so essential to the conduct of affairs during war, was the Right Honourable W.

Hughes, whom the Governor-General therefore commissioned to form an Administration. A further case which requires brief mention is that of Prime Minister Fadden who resigned following a defeat in the House on 3 October In specific circumstances set out in section 57 of the Constitution, following continued disagreement between the Senate and the House of Representatives over legislation, the Governor-General may dissolve both Houses simultaneously.

The functions of the Governor-General in relation to the legislature are discussed in more detail elsewhere in the appropriate parts of the text. The Crown in its relations with the legislature is characterised by formality, ceremony and tradition. For example, tradition dictates that the Sovereign should not enter the House of Representatives. Traditionally the Mace is not taken into the presence of the Crown.

It is the practice of the House to agree to a condolence motion on the death of a former Governor-General, [62] but on recent occasions the House has not usually followed the former practice of suspending the sitting until a later hour as a mark of respect. During debate in the House no Member may use the name of the Queen, the Governor-General or a State Governor disrespectfully, or for the purpose of influencing the House in its deliberations.

It is acceptable for a Minister to be questioned, without criticism or reflection on conduct, regarding matters relating to the public duties for which the Governor-General is responsible. Section 61 of the Constitution states two principal elements of executive power which the Governor-General exercises, namely, the execution and maintenance of the Constitution, and the execution and maintenance of the laws passed by the Parliament in accordance with the Constitution.

The Constitution, however, immediately provides that in the government of the Commonwealth, the Governor-General is advised by a Federal Executive Council, [69] effecting the concept of responsible government. As Head of the Executive Government, [72] in pursuance of the broad scope of power contained in section 61, the constitutional functions of the Governor-General, excluding those of historical interest, are summarised as follows:.

The judicial power of the Commonwealth is vested in the High Court of Australia, and such other federal courts that the Parliament creates or other courts it invests with federal jurisdiction.

The judiciary is the third element of government in the tripartite division of Commonwealth powers. The Governor-General is specifically included as a constituent part of the legislative and executive organs of power but is not part of the judiciary.

The Governor-General's ceremonial duties include:. The Governor-General wearing a shirt and tie sits at a desk with a pen in hand. Two other men sit on the other side of the desk. Permission should be sought from Office of the Governor-General for third-party or commercial uses of this image. The Governor-General, wearing a suit and medals on the left side of his chest, talks to people in a crowd. Permission should be sought from Government House for third-party or commercial uses of this image.

View with description and copyright information. Slide 1 details. Constitutional monarchy Australia is a constitutional monarchy, which means that the Queen is our head of state. Constitutional role Section 1 of the Australian Constitution states that the Parliament 'shall consist of the Queen, a Senate, and a House of Representatives'.

History Happens here. From Champlain to Now Four hundred years ago, Samuel de Champlain—a governor in all but name—fulfilled several duties and responsibilities that would later be carried out by the governors of New France and, after Confederation, by the governors general of Canada.

Skip to content. Government fields. Governors-general in the Commonwealth Governor-general is a title and position recognisable throughout the Commonwealth, historically and today. Home All member countries Terms Contact us. Antigua and Barbuda.