List of governors-general of Australia
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Template:Short description Template:Use Australian English Template:Use dmy dates
Template:Monarchy of Australia The governor-general of Australia is the federal representative of the Australian monarch (currently Charles III).[1] The position came into being on 29 October 1900 with the establishment of the first Commonwealth office,[2] just prior to the adoption of the new national constitution and has been held by 28 people since then. Because governors-general are appointed at His Majesty's pleasure, there is no fixed term, but governors-general are usually given a 5-year term.[1]
Background
For the first two decades after federation, governors-general were selected solely by the British government. The monarch was consulted on the decision into the 1930s. The first four governors-general were peers; Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson (appointed 1914) was the first commoner to hold the position, although he was also later elevated to the peerage. In 1920, Billy Hughes became the first prime minister to be consulted over the governor-generalship. Stanley Bruce (1925) and Joseph Lyons (1935) either asked for or were given a list of suitable candidates to choose from.
James Scullin (1930) became the first prime minister of Australia to exercise complete discretion in the appointment; his nomination of Sir Isaac Isaacs made Australia the first Dominion to have a native-born governor-general. In 1945, John Curtin nominated Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, to the post. Henry was the first and only royal officeholder to take up the office — in October 1938, Prince George, Duke of Kent had been announced as successor to Lord Gowrie with effect from November 1939,[3][4] but on 11 September 1939, the Duke's appointment was postponed due to the outbreak of the Second World War. Prince George died in 1942 and thus his appointment never eventuated, instead Lord Gowrie continued in office in Australia until 1945, creating a still-unsurpassed record term of over 9 years.[5] A second Australian (William McKell) was appointed in 1947; he was followed by three more Britons, each chosen by Sir Robert Menzies. Menzies's fourth nomination was Richard Casey, who took office in 1965; he and all subsequent governors-general have been Australian citizens. All Australian states except South Australia and Tasmania have provided at least one appointee (although the latter of these provided an Administrator of the Commonwealth for several months in 2003). The first female governor-general, Quentin Bryce, took office in 2008.
List of officeholders
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
Term of office | Monarch ReignScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
Prime Minister Term of officeScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Time in office | ||||||
| 1 | File:Lord Hopetoun 1902.jpg | John Hope 7th Earl of Hopetoun Template:Post-nominals (1860–1908)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
1 JanuaryScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1901Template:Efn |
17 JulyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1902Template:Efn |
Template:Age in years and days | Victoria (1837–1901)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
Edmund Barton (1901–1903)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
[6] |
| Edward VII (1901–1910)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 2 | File:Hallam Tennyson.jpg | Hallam Tennyson 2nd Baron Tennyson Template:Post-nominals (1852–1928)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
9 JanuaryScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1903 |
21 JanuaryScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1904 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| Alfred Deakin (1903–1904)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 3 | File:Lord Northcote.jpg | Henry Northcote 1st Baron Northcote Template:Post-nominals (1846–1911)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
21 JanuaryScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1904 |
9 SeptemberScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1908 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| Chris Watson (1904)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| George Reid (1904–1905)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| Alfred Deakin (1905–1908)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 4 | File:William Ward, 2nd Earl of Dudley.jpg | William Ward 2nd Earl of Dudley Template:Post-nominals (1867–1932)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
9 SeptemberScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1908 |
31 JulyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1911 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| Andrew Fisher (1908–1909)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| Alfred Deakin (1909–1910)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| Andrew Fisher (1910–1913)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| George V (1910–1936)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 5 | File:Lord Denman (cropped).jpg | Thomas Denman 3rd Baron Denman Template:Post-nominals (1874–1954)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
31 JulyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1911 |
18 MayScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1914 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| Joseph Cook (1913–1914)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 6 | File:Ronald Munro Ferguson (Barnett-02).jpg | Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson Template:Post-nominals (1860–1934)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
18 MayScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1914 |
6 OctoberScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1920 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| Andrew Fisher (1914–1915)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| Billy Hughes (1915–1923)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 7 | File:Henry Forster, 1st Baron Forster circa 1925.jpg | Henry Forster 1st Baron Forster Template:Post-nominals (1866–1936)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
6 OctoberScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1920 |
8 OctoberScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1925 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| Stanley Bruce (1923–1929)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 8 | File:Ac.stonehaven.jpg | John Baird 1st Baron Stonehaven Template:Post-nominals (1874–1941)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
8 OctoberScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1925 |
2 OctoberScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1930Template:Efn |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| James Scullin (1929–1932)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 9 | File:Isaac Isaacs 1936 (cropped).jpg | Sir Isaac Isaacs Template:Post-nominals (1855–1948)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
21 JanuaryScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1931 |
23 JanuaryScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1936 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| Joseph Lyons (1932–1939)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| Edward VIII (1936)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 10 | File:Lord Gowrie 1936.jpg | Brigadier-General Alexander Hore-Ruthven 1st Baron Gowrie Template:Post-nominals (1872–1955)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
23 JanuaryScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1936 |
30 JanuaryScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1945 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| George VI (1936–1952)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| Earle Page (1939)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| Robert Menzies (1939–1941)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| Arthur Fadden (1941)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| John Curtin (1941–1945)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 11 | File:Dukeofgloucester.jpg | Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester Template:Post-nominals (1900–1974)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
30 JanuaryScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1945 |
11 MarchScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1947 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| Frank Forde (1945)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| Ben Chifley (1945–1949)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 12 | File:Williammckell.jpg | Sir William McKell Template:Post-nominals (1891–1985)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
11 MarchScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1947 |
8 MayScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1953 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| Robert Menzies (1949–1966)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| Elizabeth II (1952–2022)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 13 | File:William Slim, 1950.jpg | Field Marshal Sir William Slim Template:Post-nominals (1891–1970)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
8 MayScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1953 |
2 FebruaryScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1960 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| 14 | File:Lord Dunrossil-02.jpg | William Morrison 1st Viscount Dunrossil Template:Post-nominals (1893–1961)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
2 FebruaryScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1960 |
3 FebruaryScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1961Template:Efn |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| 15 | File:Lord De L'Isle.jpg | William Sidney 1st Viscount De L'Isle Template:Post-nominals (1909–1991)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
3 AugustScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1961 |
7 MayScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1965 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| 16 | File:Richard Casey 1965.jpg | Richard Casey Baron Casey Template:Post-nominals (1890–1976)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
7 MayScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1965 |
30 AprilScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1969 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| Harold Holt (1966–1967)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| John McEwen (1967–1968)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| John Gorton (1968–1971)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 17 | File:Paul Hasluck 1971 (cropped).jpg | Sir Paul Hasluck Template:Post-nominals (1905–1993)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
30 AprilScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1969 |
11 JulyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1974 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| William McMahon (1971–1972)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| Gough Whitlam (1972–1975)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 18 | File:Governor-General Sir John Kerr (cropped).jpg | Sir John Kerr Template:Post-nominals (1914–1991)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
11 JulyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1974 |
8 DecemberScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1977 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| Malcolm Fraser (1975–1983)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 19 | File:Zelman Cowen.jpg | Sir Zelman Cowen Template:Post-nominals (1919–2011)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
8 DecemberScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1977 |
29 JulyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1982 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| 20 | File:Sir Ninian Stephen.jpg | Sir Ninian Stephen Template:Post-nominals (1923–2017)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
29 JulyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1982 |
16 FebruaryScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1989 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| Bob Hawke (1983–1991)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 21 | File:Bill Hayden on 29.5.1990.jpg | Bill Hayden Template:Post-nominals (1933–2023)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
16 FebruaryScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1989 |
16 FebruaryScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1996 |
7 years | |||
| Paul Keating (1991–1996)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 22 | File:William Deane official portrait.jpg | Sir William Deane Template:Post-nominals (born 1931)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
16 FebruaryScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1996 |
29 JuneScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2001 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| John Howard (1996–2007)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 23 | File:Dr Peter Hollingworth.jpg | Peter Hollingworth Template:Post-nominals (born 1935)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
29 JuneScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2001 |
28 MayScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2003Template:Efn |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| 24 | File:Jeffery Michael 030238DI-002.jpg | Major General Michael Jeffery Template:Post-nominals (1937–2020)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
11 AugustScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2003 |
5 SeptemberScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2008 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| Kevin Rudd (2007–2010)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 25 | File:Quentin Bryce No.1 (cropped).jpg | Dame Quentin Bryce Template:Post-nominals (born 1942)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
5 SeptemberScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2008 |
28 MarchScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2014 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| Julia Gillard (2010–2013)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| Kevin Rudd (2013)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| Tony Abbott (2013–2015)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 26 | File:Peter Cosgrove 2017 (1) crop.jpg | General Sir Peter Cosgrove Template:Post-nominals (born 1947)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
28 MarchScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2014 |
1 JulyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2019 |
Template:Age in years and days | |||
| Malcolm Turnbull (2015–2018)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| Scott Morrison (2018–2022)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 27 | File:David Hurley official photo (cropped).jpg | General David Hurley Template:Post-nominals (born 1953)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
1 JulyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2019 |
1 JulyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2024 |
Template:Age in years years | |||
| Anthony Albanese (since 2022)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| Charles III (since 2022)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 28 | File:Sam Mostyn 2024.jpg | Sam Mostyn Template:Post-nominals (born 1965)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
1 JulyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 2024 |
Incumbent | Template:Age in years and days | [7] | ||
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See also
- History of Australia
- Constitutional history of Australia
- Administrators of the Commonwealth of Australia
- Governors of the Australian states
- British Empire
- Governor-general (links to other countries which have governors-general)
Notes
References
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- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ "The Duke of Kent: Appointment in Australia", The Times (26 October 1938): 14.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ "Duke of Kent and Australia", The Times (12 September 1939): 6.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Further reading
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". (pp 515, 519, 548)
External links
- The Office of the Governor-General
- The use of the reserve powers
- A Mirror to the People a 58-minute documentary film on the Office of Governor-General of Australia 1999. Dir: Daryl Dellora. Features Sir William Deane, Sir Zelman Cowen, Sir Ninian Stephen. Special Commendation ATOM Awards.