Significant functions of the governor include giving royal assent to bills passed by parliament, issuing writs for elections, exercising executive power on the advice of the Queensland Executive Council, formally appointing government officials (including the premier, other ministers, judges and officials), opening sessions of state parliament, and presenting Australian honours.[3] Although Australia has a federal system of government, the governor is the direct representative of the monarch and is not subordinate to the governor-general.[3]
In almost all instances, the governor 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 premier and providing royal assent) or on the advice of ministers (when performing executive actions).[5] In certain limited circumstances, the governor can exercise reserve powers (powers that may be exercised without or against formal advice). Governors are rarely called upon to exercise these reserve powers in the modern period.
In their ceremonial and community roles, the governor represents the state as a whole. Domestically, this role entails attending services and commemorations, sponsoring community organisations and hosting events at their official residence, Government House, located in the Brisbane suburb of Paddington. The governor also promotes Queensland's economic, social and cultural interests abroad and is entitled to travel on an Australian diplomatic passport on official business.[6] The governor is supported an Official Secretary, and the Office of the Governor, an independent entity within the Queensland Government which employed 51 FTE staff in 2025.[7]
The governor is selected by the premier and formally appointed by the monarch on the premier's advice. The term of office is not fixed, but they typically serve for five years. Unlike the other Australian colonies, Queensland received responsible government immediately upon being proclaimed a colony in 1859. Eight British-born officials (a mixture of minor British nobility and landed gentry) served as governor during the colonial era, starting with Sir George Bowen. Since Federation in 1901, the position was held by a series of minor British nobles, until the first Australian appointed governor, Sir John Lavarack was appointed in 1948.[8] Sir John was succeeded by the British Sir Henry Smith as governor, however all governors since have been Australian citizens. Leneen Forde, the first woman to serve as governor of Queensland,[a] was born in Canada;[9] however all other governors since 1966 have been Australian-born.
Appointment
The governor is formally appointed by the monarch with a commission[4] as required by section 29 of the Queensland Constitution.[10] When a new governor is to be appointed, the current premier recommends a name to the monarch, who by convention accepts that recommendation.[11] Prior to 1986, the governor was appointed by the monarch of the United Kingdom acting on the advice of the Colonial Secretary (after 1966, the Foreign Secretary), although local recommendations were considered and usually accepted by the British minister.
The incoming governor is publicly announced usually several months before the end of the existing governor's term. After receiving their commission, the new governor takes an oath or affirmation of allegiance to the monarch and an oath or affirmation of office.[12] These oaths are administered by the chief justice of Queensland or another justice of the Supreme Court.
Tenure
The Queensland Constitution does not set a term of office, so a governor may continue to hold office for any agreed length of time. The typical term of office is five years, although after this initial term, a commission may be extended. The longest-serving governor was Sir Leslie Wilson, who was in office for 13 years and 315 days between 1932 and 1946. At the time of his retirement, Sir Leslie was the longest-serving British governor or governor-general since Jonathan Duncan served 16 years as Governor of Bombay; from 1795 until his death in 1811.[13]
In the absence of the governor, the government of Queensland is administered by the lieutenant-governor of Queensland, or in their absence, the most senior available justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland.[14][15]
The lieutenant-governor is required to assume the administration of the government as acting governor of the state when:
there is a vacancy in the office of Governor,
the governor has assumed the administration of the government of the Commonwealth,
the governor is absent from the state, or
the governor is otherwise incapable of performing their role.
The chief justice, or next senior available justice, of the Supreme Court is required to assume the administration of the government as acting governor if the lieutenant-governor is unable to.[15]
The governor may also appoint the lieutenant governor or a supreme court justice as their deputy to perform some or all of the functions of the governor on behalf of the governor while the governor is exercising the office.[14]
Dismissal
A governor may be dismissed by the monarch before their term is complete. Since the passage of the Australia Act 1986 the monarch may only dismiss a governor on advice from the premier, who is responsible for selecting an immediate replacement or letting the vacancy provisions take effect.[11] Prior to 1986, the governors were dismissed, or recalled to the United Kingdom, by the monarch of the United Kingdom.
The governor has a key role in performing constitutional duties in all branches of government of the state. The governor also has a subsidiary role performing some constitutional duties relating to the government of the Commonwealth.
Role in the Queensland Parliament
The Queensland Constitution defines the Parliament of Queensland as consisting of the monarchand the Legislative Assembly. However, the monarch's role is no more than titular, with the governor responsible under the Queensland Constitution and Australia Act 1986[11] for all of the functions undertaken by the monarch in regard to the UK parliament. These include the power to summon, dissolve and prorogue the Parliament, to issue writs for elections, as well as the power to give royal assent to bills in the monarch's name.
The governor also has a ceremonial role in swearing in and accepting the resignations of members of Parliament. All members must make an oath or affirmation of allegiance to the King in the presence of the governor or someone appointed by them before they take their seats.[16] On the day parliament opens, the governor makes a speech in the Legislative Council (similar to the King's Speech in the UK), entirely written by the government, explaining the government's proposed legislative program.[17]
One of the most significant powers of the governor is the power to grant royal assent in the King's name. This assent gives bills that have been passed by the Legislative Assembly the force of law. Prior to the Australia Act 1986, the Australian Constitutions Act 1850 (UK) authorised the governor to reserve a bill for the monarch's pleasure, that is allow the monarch to give royal assent personally to a proposed bill.[18][19] When the governor acted as a representative of the British government, this provision allowed for the governor to refer a bill back to the British government for review, which would then advise the monarch whether or not to grant assent. Since the passage of the Australia Act 1986, the powers of the monarch in relation to the state - save for the power to appoint the governor - are exercised by the governor.[11] Under the Australian Constitutions Act 1842 (UK), the British government could also advise the monarch to disallow a law passed within the last two years, which would annul the law on the governor's proclamation or message to the parliament.[20] This power was also removed by the Australia Act 1986.[21]
Following the 1975 Australian constitutional crisis, then-premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen amended the Queensland Constitution to provide that the governor is not subject to direction by any person and is not limited as to the Governor's sources of advice" on the appointment or dismissal of ministers.[22] Bjelke-Petersen feared that a future Commonwealth government would either assert or acquire by consent the exiting powers of the imperial parliament over the states, giving them the power to either abolish the office or make it subordinate to the governor-general, with the aim of refusing royal assent to state bills. This amendment provision was doubly entrenched, requiring a referendum for the provisions about the governor to be amended or removed. Following the passage of the Australia Act 1986, the power of the British Parliament to legislate for the states has been removed. However, there remains academic doubts of the legal effectiveness of the double entrenchment provisions.[23]
This provision worked against Bjelke-Petersen when, in the dying days of his government in November 1987, he tried and failed to convince governor Sir Walter Campbell to remove several ministers to shore up his own support within Parliament. When the parliamentary wing of the National Party deposed Bjelke-Petersen and elected one of the dissident ministers, Mike Ahern, as the new leader of the National Party, and Bjelke-Petersen initially refused to resign as premier and Sir Walter resisted calls to dismiss him.[24][25]
Role in executive government
Executive powers vested in governor by statute or as part of the prerogative are exercised on the advice of ministers in accordance with the principles of responsible government. This occurs formally through the Executive Council, a body of all current (and technically former) ministers that advises the governor.[26] Such advice is generally the result of decisions already made in Cabinet, the de facto highest executive body in Victoria.
Formally, the governor exercises the traditional rights of the monarch as identified by Bagehot: the right to be consulted, to encourage and to warn.[11]
Role in the government of the Commonwealth
The role of state governors in the government of the Commonwealth is limited to the issue and return of the writs for the election of senators representing their state, and the nomination of new senators to fill a casual vacancy.[27]
While the office of governor of Queensland has little role in the administration of the government of the Commonwealth, the individuals who serve as governors of Queensland are - like all the Governors of the Australian states - normally given a dormant commission to administer the government of the Commonwealth in the absence from Australia, or the death, incapacity or removal from office of the governor-general by the Sovereign.[29] Some Queensland governors are also appointed as a Deputy of the Governor-General[30] to perform certain responsibilities of the Governor-General while the Governor-General is present in Australia, but unable to perform them personally.[31]
In addition to the formal constitutional role, the governor has a representative and ceremonial role, though the extent and nature of that role has depended on the expectations of the time, the individual in office at the time, the wishes of the incumbent government, and the individual's reputation in the wider community. Governors generally become patrons of various charitable institutions, present honours and awards, host functions for various groups of people including representatives of other countries, and travel widely throughout the state.
Governors are entitled to various privileges by virtue of holding the office. These include the right to live in Government House, a heritage-listed mansion set in 14 hectares (35 acres) of gardens and bushland in the inner-Brisbane suburb of Paddington. The building, also known as Fernberg was built in 1865.[35]
When Sir George Bowen was appointed the first Governor of Queensland in 1859, he temporarily resided in Adelaide House - which was rented by the colonial government for £350 per year. Sir George moved into Old Government House in 1862, and the property was later acquired by the Anglican Church. Following the consecration of St John's Cathedral in 1910, Adelaide House became the residence for the Dean and it is now known as The Deanery.[36]
Between 1862 and 1910, governors resided at Old Government House, Brisbane in Gardens Point, now part of the Queensland University of Technology campus. By 1909 the once-spacious Government House was perceived as being too small for the Governor's residence, especially as it lacked a ballroom deemed essential for entertaining. Then-governor Sir William MacGregor, relocated into the leased property Fernberg as a temporary measure while a new Government House was constructed in Victoria Park. However, although the plans for the new Government House were drawn and the foundations laid, the project was abandoned. In 1911 the Government purchased Fernberg for £10,000 to be the permanent Government House of Queensland, a role that continues to the present day.[37]
Official Vehicle
The governor's official vehicle is a 1972 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI which uses a representation of St Edward's Crown in place of a standard registration plate[38] and flies the governor's personal standard.[39]
Salary
The salary of the governor was initially set by the Australian Constitutions Act 1850 at £2,000,[b] which also required any bill that altered the governor's salary to be reserved for her majesty's pleasure.[18] As of 2025, the governor is paid the same salary as the chief justice of the supreme court[1] (currently $488,686[2])
Official dress
Sir John Goodwin, 14th governor of Queensland (1927-32), in his court uniform
Governors before the 1970s wore traditional court uniforms, based on the uniform of the Lord Lieutenants of English counties with the colours reversed. It consisted of a dark navy wool double-breasted coatee with silver oak leaf and fern embroidery on the collar and cuffs trimmed with silver buttons embossed with the Royal Arms and with bullion edged epaulettes on the shoulders, dark navy trousers with a wide band of silver oak-leaf braid down the outside seam, silver sword belt with ceremonial sword, bicorne cocked hat with plume of ostrich feathers, black patent leather Wellington boots with spurs, etc., that is worn on ceremonial occasions.[40] However, that custom fell into disuse and governors now dress in informal wear day-to-day.
Titles and honours
Governors have during their tenure the style His or Her Excellencythe Honourable and their spouses have the style His or Her Excellency. The style used by a former governor is the Honourable.[41]
Since the creation of the Order of Australia in 1975, governors have been routinely invested as Companions of the Order of Australia immediately prior to being commissioned as governor, and several governors including Peter Arnison,[42] and Dame Quentin Bryce,[43] have been appointed Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order for their service to the sovereign as vice-regal representatives. Prior to 1986, Queensland still utilised the imperial honours system, and it was customary for governors to be recognised with awards of Knight Grand Cross or Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George for their service as colonial officials as well as Knight Grand Cross or Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order for their services to the sovereign.[44]
Spouses of governors have no official duties but carry out the role of a vice-regal consort. They are entitled to the courtesy style Her Excellency or His Excellency during the office-holder's term of office. Most spouses of governors have been content to be quietly supportive. Some, however, have been notable in their own right.
A Union Flag defaced with the state badge of Queensland surrounded by wreath of laurels
The governor's standard comprises a Union Jack with a white roundel in the centre with the state badge of Queensland: a light blue Maltese cross, surmounted by a royal crown and surrounded by garland of laurel leaves.[45]
The general design of standards for British governors was approved by Queen Victoria in 1869. The design for governors of Queensland was created and flown as a personal standard since 1876, when the Maltese cross was adopted as the colonial badge. The flag's design was updated in 1963 to change the depiction of the crown from the Tudor Crown to St Edward's Crown[46][45]
If the standard is flying at Government House, on a vehicle or at an event, this indicates that the governor is present.[45]
Previous standard of the governor
1876–1963
Constitutional provisions
The office of the governor was initially established by letters patent issued by Queen Victoria on the founding of Queensland in 1867. However, up until 1977 the office was not formally recognised in Queensland legislation, with the powers of the governor set down in the letters patent and in an imperial order in council which preserved the effect of the Australian Constitutions Act 1842 (Imp) (the document that granted NSW a semi-elected assembly) as regard to the governor and restricted the power of the Queensland assembly to remove the position. However, following the 1975 Dismissal crisis then premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Peterson amended the Constitution Act 1867 (Qld) to replicate the provisions of the order in council. This was done as the order in council only applied due to the continuing authority of the British Parliament in regard to the states. It was feared that a future Commonwealth government would either assert or acquire by consent the exiting powers of the imperial parliament over the states, giving them the power to either abolish the office or make it subordinate to the governor-general, allowing the Commonwealth to order the state governor to refuse royal assent to state bills. This amendment provision was doubly entrenched, requiring a referendum for the provisions about the governor to be amended or removed. Following the passage of the Australia Act 1986, the power of the British Parliament to legislate for the states has been removed. However, there remains academic doubts of the legal effectiveness of the double entrenchment provisions.[23]
The Constitution Act 2001 consolidated the previous constitutional documents, including the most recent letters-patent, leaving the role of the governor fully defined by Australian law.[47] However, the doubly entrenched provisions of the 1867 constitution remains in place as a referendum was not sought to amend them.[23]
The first Australian born Governor of Queensland was Lieutenant-General SirJohn Lavarack (appointed 1946). His successor, Sir Henry Abel Smith, the husband of the niece of Queen Mary, Lady May Abel-Smith, was British. All subsequent governors have been Australian-born, except for Leneen Forde, who was born in Canada but who emigrated to Australia at an early age.
List of administrators and lieutenant-governors of Queensland
Administrators and lieutenant-governors are deputy roles generally appointed to carry out the duties of the governor when the governor is unavailable, due to travel or illness. If one is not appointed, then the duties are carried out by the Chief Justice of Queensland (or the most senior judge available).[50] The following are the administrators and lieutenant-governors of Queensland:[51]
↑Horner, David. "Sir John Dudley Lavarack (1885–1957)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
↑Cahill, Peter. "Sir Leslie Orme Wilson (1876–1955)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
↑"Memorandum from the Solicitor General, 26 November 1987," Section 7, in Walter Campbell, Johannes Bjelke Petersen & Michael J. Ahern, Copies of correspondence relating to the change-over from the Bjelke-Petersen government to the Ahern government in late 1987 (Brisbane: Queensland Government, 1988).
↑Albanese, Anthony (28 March 2025). "2025 Australian federal election"(PDF). Letter to Sam Mostyn, Governor-General of Australia. Canberra: Office of the Governor-General. MS25-000144. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
↑Wright, B C, ed. (2012). "The Parliament and the role of the House". House of Representatives Practice(PDF) (7thed.). Department of the House of Representatives, Commonwealth of Australia. p.3. ISBN978-1-74366-656-2. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
↑White, M. W. D. "Sir James Maxwell Ramsay (1916–1986)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
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