NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Governors of the Australian states

The Governors of the Australian states are the representatives in the six states of Australia of Australia's monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The Governors perform the same constitutional and ceremonial functions at the state level as does the Governor-General of Australia at the national level. The State Governors are not subject to the constitutional authority of the Governor-General, but are directly responsible to the Queen of Australia. Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of sixteen sovereign states, holding each crown and title equally. ... The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. ... Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, in 1952 and 2002 The title Queen of Australia has existed since 1973, when the Parliament of Australia passed the Royal Style and Titles Act (1973). ...

Origins

The office of Governor is the oldest constitutional office in Australia. Each of the six states was founded as a British colony, and a Governor was appointed by the British government to exercise executive authority over the colony. Captain Arthur Phillip assumed office as Governor of New South Wales on 26 January 1788, the day on which he founded what is now the city of Sydney, the first British settlement in Australia. Admiral Arthur Phillip RN (11 October 1738 â€“ 31 August 1814) was a British naval officer and colonial administrator. ... the flag of the Governor of New South Wales The Governor of New South Wales is the representative in the Australian state of New South Wales of Australias head of state, Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. ... is the 26th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1788 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ...

The first Governors of the other five states, and their dates of appointment, were as follows:

It should be noted that only in New South Wales and South Australia was the date of the appointment of the first Governor the actual date of the colony's foundation. The settlement which became Queensland was founded in 1824, but was not separated from New South Wales until 1859. In Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia executive authority was exercised by a Lieutenant-Governor for some years before the first Governor was appointed; Tasmania was founded in 1804, Western Australia in 1828 and Victoria in 1835. Slogan or Nickname: Wildflower State or the Golden State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation - House seats 15 - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2005-06) - Product ($m) $107,910 (4th) - Product per capita $53,134/person... Admiral Sir James Stirling Admiral Sir James Stirling RN (January 28, 1791â€“April 23, 1865) was a British marine officer and colonial administrator. ... is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1832 (MDCCCXXXII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Capital Adelaide Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Premier Mike Rann (ALP) Federal representation - House seats 11 - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05) - Product ($m) $59,819 (5th) - Product per capita $38,838/person (7th) Population (End of September 2006) - Population 1,558,200 (5th) - Density 1. ... Captain John Hindmarsh, KH, RN was the first Governor of South Australia, from 28 December 1836 to 16 July 1838. ... is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1836 (MDCCCXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Slogan or Nickname: Island of Inspiration; The Apple Isle; Holiday Isle Motto(s): Ubertas et Fidelitas (Fertility and Faithfulness) Other Australian states and territories Capital Hobart Government Constitutional monarchy Governor William Cox Premier Paul Lennon (ALP) Federal representation - House seats 5 - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05) - Product... Sir Henry Edward Fox Young (1808â€“1870) was the fifth Governor of South Australia, serving in that role from 2 August 1848 until 20 December 1854. ... is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1855 (MDCCCLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... VIC redirects here. ... Charles Hotham Sir Charles Hotham KCB RN (January 14, 1806 - December 31, 1855) was Lieutenant-governor and, later, Governor of Victoria, Australia from June 1854 - 31 December 1855. ... is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1855 (MDCCCLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Anna Bligh (ALP) Federal representation - House seats 28 - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05) - Product ($m) $158,506 (3rd... hello u now my name e hehe e he he he eh. ... is the 344th day of the year (345th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1859 (MDCCCLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... 1824 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Year 1859 (MDCCCLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... 1804 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Year 1828 (MDCCCXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... | Come and take it, slogan of the Texas Revolution 1835 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

New South Wales and Tasmania (which was known as Van Diemen's Land until 1855) were founded as penal colonies, and their Governors (Lieutenant-Governors in Tasmania) exercised more or less absolute authority. Tasmania in particular was run as a virtual prison camp in its early years. The Governors were also commanders-in-chief, and the troops under their command were the real basis of their authority. 1663 map of Van Diemens Land, showing the parts discovered by Tasman, including Storm Bay, Maria Island and Schouten Island. ... Year 1855 (MDCCCLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

From the 1820s, however, the increasing number of free settlers in the colonies led to a process of constitutional reform which gradually reduced the powers of the Governors. New South Wales was given its first legislative body, the New South Wales Legislative Council, in 1825. Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, which were not founded as penal settlements, moved rapidly towards constitutional government after their establishment. The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. ... Year 1825 (MDCCCXXV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Responsible Government

The discovery of gold in New South Wales and Victoria in 1851 led to a rapid influx of free settlers, mainly from Britain, and to increasing demands for self-government and "British liberties." As a result, Victoria was granted full responsible parliamentary government in 1855, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania in 1856 and Queensland in 1859. Western Australia, owing to its small population, did not attain responsible government until 1890. 1851 (MDCCCLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1855 (MDCCCLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... 1856 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Year 1859 (MDCCCLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar). ...

Responsible government reduced the role of the state Governors to a largely ceremonial one, although they remained the head of the constitutional system, appointing heads of government (see Premiers of the Australian states) and granting or declining requests for dissolutions of the legislatures. Since all colonial Governors were British and were appointed by the British government, they also exercised a supervisory role over the colonial governments on behalf of Britain. The Premiers of the Australian states are the heads of the executive governments in the six states of the Commonwealth of Australia. ...

Federation

When the six colonies federated to form the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, there were some suggestions that the position of state Governor should be abolished, but the states insisted on retaining their independent links to the Crown. State Governors continued to be appointed by the King on the advice of the Colonial Secretary in London, usually after an informal consultation with the state government. Year 1901 (MCMI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday [1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ...

The post of Governor was again called into question during the Depression of the 1930s, when the cost of maintaining six vice-regal establishments (as well as a Governor-General in Canberra) drew criticism from the labour movement and others. During this period some states (notably Western Australia) left the position unfilled as an economy measure for some years, and the vice-regal functions were filled by the state Chief Justices with the title of Administrator. But no state attempted to abolish the post of Governor, and this could not have been done at this time without the consent of the Crown (that is, the British government). For other uses, see The Great Depression (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Canberra (disambiguation). ...

The political role of the Governor became a matter of controversy in 1932 when the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Philip Game, dismissed the Premier, Jack Lang, on the grounds that Lang was acting illegally. All Governors at this time were British, and most were from the upper classes and political conservatives, and Labor governments always suspected that they had an enemy in Government House. Most Governors, however, tried to act impartially, and some were genuinely popular. Year 1932 (MCMXXXII) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1932 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Woolcott Game (March 30, 1876–February 4, 1961) was a British Royal Air Force commander and Governor of New South Wales, Australia. ... John Thomas Lang (December 21, 1876 - September 27, 1975) was a prominent Australian politician during the early twentieth century. ...

From the 1940s the states, particularly those with Labor governments, began to appoint Australians to the post of Governor. The first Australian governors of each of the states, and their dates of appointment, were:

The last British governor of an Australian state was Rear Admiral Sir Richard Trowbridge, who was Governor of Western Australia from 1980 to 1983. â€œNSWâ€ redirects here. ... General Sir John Northcott KCMG(1950) KCVO(1954) MVO(1927) CB(1941) (Born March 24, 1890, Creswick, Victoria; Died August 4, 1966, Wahroonga, New South Wales) Governor of New South Wales August 1, 1946 - August 1, 1957. ... is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Anna Bligh (ALP) Federal representation - House seats 28 - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05) - Product ($m) $158,506 (3rd... is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Slogan or Nickname: Wildflower State or the Golden State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation - House seats 15 - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2005-06) - Product ($m) $107,910 (4th) - Product per capita $53,134/person... His Excellency Hon. ... For other uses, see 5th October (Serbia). ... Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Capital Adelaide Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Premier Mike Rann (ALP) Federal representation - House seats 11 - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05) - Product ($m) $59,819 (5th) - Product per capita $38,838/person (7th) Population (End of September 2006) - Population 1,558,200 (5th) - Density 1. ... Major General Sir James Harrison, KCMG, CB, CBE (1912â€“1971) was the Governor of South Australia from December 4, 1968 until his death in office (whilst holidaying in Fiji) on September 15, 1971. ... is the 338th day of the year (339th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Slogan or Nickname: Island of Inspiration; The Apple Isle; Holiday Isle Motto(s): Ubertas et Fidelitas (Fertility and Faithfulness) Other Australian states and territories Capital Hobart Government Constitutional monarchy Governor William Cox Premier Paul Lennon (ALP) Federal representation - House seats 5 - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05) - Product... The Hon. ... is the 339th day of the year (340th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ... VIC redirects here. ... Sir Henry Winneke A.C., K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., O.B.E. (20 October 1908- 28 December 1985) was a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria, which is the highest ranking court in the Australian State of Victoria. ... is the 154th day of the year (155th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... Rear Admiral Sir Richard Trowbridge, KCVO was Governor of Western Australia from 1980 to 1983. ...

The disappearance of British governors also led to the end of the role of British ministers in the appointment of Governors. From the 1960s onward the Governors were appointed by the Crown effectively on the advice of the state Premiers, but it was not until 1986, with the passage of the Australia Acts through the State, Australian and British parliaments, that governors became appointed by the Queen of Australia on the direct advice of the relevant Premier. Australia Act 1986 (United Kingdom) document, located in Parliament House, Canberra The Australia Act 1986 is an act of the Parliament of Australia (No. ... Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, in 1952 and 2002 The title Queen of Australia has existed since 1973, when the Parliament of Australia passed the Royal Style and Titles Act (1973). ...

Most of the early colonial governors were military or naval officers, and once the governor's role moved from the executive to the ceremonial, most governors were drawn from the ranks of retired officers. Although a few members of the peerage served as governors (the most prominent being Earl Beauchamp in New South Wales), the Australian colonial capitals were generally considered not grand enough to attract senior members of the aristocracy. Even when Australians replaced Britons as governors, most continued to be retired Army, Navy or Air Force officers until the 1970s. For other uses, see Peerage (disambiguation). ... Lord Beauchamp as Governor of New South Wales in 1899 William Lygon, 7th Earl Beauchamp KG, KCMG, PC, (February 20, 1872 â€“ November 15, 1938), British politician, succeeded his father as Earl Beauchamp in 1891, and was mayor of Worcester at age 23. ...

Role of Governors since 1970

From the 1970s the role of state Governor became increasingly symbolic. Nevertheless, the state Governors, like the Governor-General, retain the full panoply of the reserve powers of the Crown. This has been shown on two recent occasions.

In 1987 the Governor of Queensland, Sir Walter Campbell, refused to accept the advice of the National Party Premier, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, to dismiss his entire ministry, who were about to depose him. Campbell believed that Bjelke-Petersen had lost the confidence of his own party and was behaving irrationally. Bjelke-Petersen subsequently resigned. Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Sir Walter Campbell was Governor of Queensland from 1985-1992. ... The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party. ... Sir Johannes Joh Bjelke-Petersen, KCMG (13 January 1911 â€“ 23 April 2005), New Zealand-born Australian politician, was the longest-serving and longest-lived Premier of the state of Queensland. ...

In 1989 the Governor of Tasmania, Sir Phillip Bennett, refused to grant a fresh dissolution to the Liberal Premier, Robin Gray, who had just lost his majority at a state election. Although no one party had a majority in the new House of Assembly, Bennett took the view that Gray no longer had the confidence of the Parliament and could not advise him to call a second election. Gray then resigned and Bennett commissioned a minority Labor government. Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Sir Phillip Harvey Bennett, AC, KBE, DSO (27 December 1928) was the Governor of Tasmania from 1987 to 1995. ... The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party. ... There have been two significant politicians named Robin Gray. ...

In the event of a governor-general's death, incapacity, removal, resignation or absence overseas, each of the State Governors has a dormant commission to become the Administrator of the Commonwealth, that is, to take on the governor-general's duties until he returns from overseas or a new appointment is made. The convention has been that the longest-serving State Governor is appointed Administrator. When Peter Hollingworth resigned in May 2003, Sir Guy Green, Governor of Tasmania, took on that role, serving until Major-General Michael Jeffery took office in August 2003. The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... The title Administrator of the Government (Administrator) has two uses in Australia. ... The Rt Revd Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE The Right Reverend Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE (born April 10, 1935), Australian bishop and 23rd Governor-General of Australia, became the first Governor-General to resign his office as a result of criticism of his conduct, when on 28 May... The Hon. ... This article is about the Governor-General of Australia. ...

In 1975 the Queen revoked the dormant commission of Sir Colin Hannah, the Governor of Queensland, on the advice of the Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. Sir Colin had engaged in partisanship by publicly criticising the Whitlam government. In 1976 the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office refused to transmit to the Queen the advice of the Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen to re-appoint Sir Colin as governor, forcing him to submit a different candidate. Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ... Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC (born 11 July 1916), known as Gough Whitlam (, pronounced Goff), is an Australian former politician and 21st Prime Minister of Australia. ... The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Whitehall, seen from St. ...

Backgrounds of governors

In 1976 South Australia appointed Sir Douglas Nicholls as the first (and, to date, the only) Aboriginal governor of an Australian state. South Australia was also the first state to appoint a woman as governor, when Dame Roma Mitchell took office in 1991. Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sir Douglas Doug Ralph Nicholls, KCVO, OBE (1906–1988) was an Australian Aborigine from the Yorta Yorta people of New South Wales. ... Australian Aborigines are the main indigenous people of Australia. ... Dame Roma Flinders Mitchell (October 2, 1913 - March 5, 2000) was a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia and subsequently Governor of South Australia. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ...

Governors of non-Anglo-Australian background have been appointed in recent years. These include Sir James Gobbo (Italian background; Victoria), Professor David de Kretser (Sri Lankan; Victoria), and Professor Marie Bashir (Lebanese; New South Wales). This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Professor David Morritz de Kretser AC (born April 27, 1939) is an Australian medical researcher, and the Governor of Victoria. ... Her Excellency Professor Marie Roslyn Bashir, AC, CVO (born 1930) is the current Governor of New South Wales and Chancellor of the University of Sydney. ...

John Landy, a former governor of Victoria, and Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, current Governor of South Australia, are former Australian Olympic medallists. John Landy in 1985. ... Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, AC, CVO, MBE (born September 13, 1931) is the Governor of South Australia and a former Australian athlete. ... The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913, adopted in 1914 and debuted at the Games at Antwerp, 1920. ...

Contemporary Changes and Prospects

The Northern Territory received self-government in 1979 under its own Administrator appointed by the Governor-General. The Commonwealth government, not the territory government, advises the governor-general on appointment of the Administrator. For similar terms, see Northern Territories (disambiguation) Slogan or Nickname: The Territory, The NT, The Top End Motto(s): none Other Australian states and territories Capital Darwin Government Constitutional monarchy Administrator Ted Egan Chief Minister Clare Martin (ALP) Federal representation - House seats 2 - Senate seats 2 Gross Territorial Product (2004... The political office of the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia has been held by the following people. ...

Recent proposals for an Australian Republic have indirectly involved the office of state governor. In the lead up to the 1999 republican referendum, state governments were required to consider state links to the Crown and thus the validity of appointing the Governor through the Queen. At a constitutional convention in Gladstone, Queensland, the states indicated that if the referendum was successful governors should be appointed by the parliament, although agreement on the exact method of appointment was not reached 1. As the referendum failed, no state altered the appointment method. Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ... The 1999 Australian republic referendum was a two question referendum held on 6 November 1999. ... For other uses, see Gladstone (disambiguation). ...

Lists of Governors of the Australian states

(Includes Lieutenant-Governors in the early colonial period and Administrators of the Northern Territory since self-government)

Categories: Articles lacking sources from September 2007 | All articles lacking sources | Politics of Australia | Viceroys in Australia | History of Australia | Parliaments of the Australian states and territories | Monarchy in Australia the flag of the Governor of New South Wales The Governor of New South Wales is the representative in the Australian state of New South Wales of Australias head of state, Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. ... List of Governors of Victoria See Governors of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Governor. ... List of Governors of Queensland See Governors of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Governor. ... Flag of the Governor of Western Australia The Governor of Western Australia is the representative in Western Australia of Australias head of state, Queen Elizabeth II. The Governor performs important constitutional, ceremonial and community functions, including: presiding over the Executive Council; proroguing and dissolving the Legislative Assembly and the... See Governors of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Governor. ... Standard of the Governor of Tasmania The Governor of Tasmania is the representatives in the Australian state of Tasmania of Australias head of state, Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. ... The political office of the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia has been held by the following people. ... Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... the flag of the Governor of New South Wales The Governor of New South Wales is the representative in the Australian state of New South Wales of Australias head of state, Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. ... List of Governors of Victoria See Governors of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Governor. ... List of Governors of Queensland See Governors of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Governor. ... See Governors of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Governor. ... List of Governors of Western Australia See Governors of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Governor. ... Standard of the Governor of Tasmania The Governor of Tasmania is the representatives in the Australian state of Tasmania of Australias head of state, Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. ...

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